Why Those with HCV Must Know About Carotid Artery Atherosclerosis
Share
Follow Us
Although hepatitis literally translates to inflammation of the liver, increasing research into the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has revealed that its reach extends well beyond the liver. Posing a real concern to those with this disease, a relatively new study presents evidence that infection with HCV is associated with atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries. Since a clear connection between these two conditions has been drawn, those with HCV must be aware of the warning signs of carotid artery atherosclerosis.
About Carotid Artery Atherosclerosis
In the front part of the neck, the carotid arteries carry blood from the heart to the brain. Known as atherosclerosis, deposits of fat and/or plaque can clog up these arteries. When a carotid artery is blocked, blood has a harder time reaching the brain. A potentially devastating event, a stroke is an interruption of the blood supply to any part of the brain.
Stroke and TIA
Because narrowing of the carotid arteries is a leading cause of stroke, those who demonstrate a propensity for this problem are encouraged to take early action.
- An estimated 75 percent of people who have a stroke from carotid artery atherosclerosis also have a transient ischemic attack (TIA) at some point prior to the stroke.
- TIA is a temporary neurologic deficit that lasts less than 24 hours – usually 1 to 2 hours.
TIA symptoms typically include:
- Sudden weakness, numbness or paralysis in the face, arm or leg, typically on one side of the body.
- Slurred or garbled speech or difficulty understanding others.
- Sudden blindness in one eye.
TIAs are the most recognizable warning signs of an impending stroke.
HCV and Carotid Artery Atherosclerosis
Over the past decade, practitioners have recognized that those living with Hepatitis C are more vulnerable to certain ailments than those without the virus. Atherosclerosis is one such problem. Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, seems to be enabled by HCV. More specifically, there is evidence suggesting that HCV infection may promote atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries.
As published in the January 2010 edition of the Journal of Clinical Virology, an Italian study evaluated patients with HCV infection and chronic ischemic heart disease (in which the heart is deprived of oxygen due to atherosclerosis). The researchers actually found Hepatitis C genetic material in carotid artery plaques. This finding suggests that either:
- HCV promotes the accumulation of carotid artery plaques, or
- an active Hepatitis C infection occurs in atherosclerotic carotid arteries.
Although the exact relationship is not yet known, the authors of this Italian study concluded, “The novel finding of HCV RNA sequences in plaque tissue strongly suggests an active local infection. This in turn makes it conceivable that the virus may exert local action in carotid atherosclerosis.”
More research on carotid artery atherosclerosis and Hepatitis C is sure to follow. In the meantime, those with HCV are advised to be aware of the connection between these conditions and know how to determine if they’ve had a TIA, a sign of a potential carotid artery problem. In addition, knowing about the relationship between Hepatitis C and carotid artery atherosclerosis can urge those with the virus to take preemptive steps to prevent deposits of fat and/or plaque from clogging their arteries.
References:
http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/2010/011510_a.html, HCV Found in Carotid Atherosclerosis Plaques of Chronic Hepatitis C Patients, Liz Highleyman, Retrieved January 23, 2010, hivandhepatitis.com.
http://www.journalofclinicalvirology.com/article/S1386-6532%2809%2900495-8/abstract, Hepatitis C virus RNA localization in human carotid plaques, Maria Boddi, et al, Retrieved January 23, 2010, Journal of Clinical Virology, January 2010.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/carotid-artery-disease/, Carotid Artery Disease, Retrieved January 23, 2010, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2010.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18957787, Hepatitis C infection is associated with increased coronary artery atherosclerosis defined by modified Reardon severity score system, Alyan O, et al, Retrieved January 23, 2010, Circulation Journal, December 2008.
27 Comments
Great, one more thing to worry about. As I’m a repeat relapser, having taken all the current treatments, I might as well just give up.
DON’T give up. The first step in all treatments and conditions is to have a positive attitude. Grossly underrated or not understood is how closely our whole systems is integrated. Thoughts are electrical impulses that directly affect communication between all the biological parts of our bodies.
Another aspect that totally upsets me and therefore drives me to direct my own HCV healing, is that for the most part the doctors are so tunnel visioned on their specialties that they neglect to review the whole picture. To create an affect (via pharmacueticals, not knowing even if it will work and in the process causing so many problematic issues with the designed function of the rest of our body, is criminal in my opinion.
If you can last another two years for the Rna path interceptor drugs from Australia’s Benetic. And USA’s. Regulus You won’t even need Milk Thistle. This is it the cure we have been waiting for..
can you elaborate on the treatment?
Actually, we need remission more often, then maybe cure. We need to keep getting tested after remission, the virus comes back in many instances. And in U.S., our FDA reported that milk thistle is similar to a placebo.
don’t give up! I have failed twice, and the second time had a platelet crash to boot. Keep a positive attitude, eat well, exercise and don’t worry so much, Worry is bad for hep c. too. these studies do not apply to all of us so don’t invite trouble into your life. just do you best.
Hey u have to exercise eat foods that keep your gut cleaned out, eating right is everything, plenty of sleep, u can,t lay around, that’s what the virus wants u to do is give up, and die if u stay healthy it’s not that bad. I tried all the cures, don’t work on me. Try to be happy, something else will probly get u first, u have to create your own energy by exercise, run for your life.
As long as you’re alive, you’ve got a purpose. Never give up. I don’t relapse, I’ve taken 2 yr.-long treatment, started 3rd, ended up in hospital, had no reduction in viral load at any time, have cirrhosis and am still fighting this. There’s things on the horizon.
Any word on the effect of regular aerobic exercise for this population. Also, since some docs say baby aspirin is contraindicated in people with liver damage, is there anything one can do to prevent? Does the problem go away once you have cleared by virus?
I’ve had the disease for 20+ years. Failed Infrgen treatment back in the late 90’s. All liver biopsy have been fine. No about that aerobic exercise: I swear by it. I just completed my second full ironman and have done 3 additional half ironmans as training in the past 2 years. I have fatigue from exercise but have never blamed the disease.
During my Infragen (a drug that didn’t work too well) treatment I kept up aerobic exercise and felt good most of the time. But keep in mind that the treatment didn’t work.
I have hepatitis C and I don’t trust the medical establishment. If an imapired liver can’t filter toxins, why are drugs like Interferon indicated? Aren’t such drugs toxic? So far the only symptom I have besides the diagnosis itself is that I feel tired all the time and I otc meds make me feel weird. I’m gradually making diet changes but the exercising part is difficult because of the low energy. Anybody else in this boat?
I have just recently been diagnosed with Hepatitis C. Not being a drug user, tattoos are taboo, no transfusions, and never had wild sex with these types. I am at odds with the medical field as well. The only symptoms I have is being tired and muscle aches feeling similar to flu. I have always been fairly fit, weighing more than the average person of similar size, due to little or no fat content. Now, I force myself to get motivated because I have permitted myself to become addicted to the laziness.
Wanting to rid myself of the symptoms, I would like to start the procedures to correct the issue. It just seems that the medical field want to prolong start of the treatment. It makes no sense to me. How do I get them to understand that the sooner treatment can be started the sooner I may start to fell better?
Almost every time I hear “laziness” being used for a Hep C patient’s symptoms, I cringe, because if we can’t accept it is the disease, who will ever believe we feel how absolutely fatigued we are.
now i know why i’ve been tired since around age 26. am now 54. i’ve lost out on alot because i’ve actually been too tired to even THINK of getting ready to go out, let alone going somewhere. i wake up exhausted every single day. goin to the gastro doc Aug. 1st. for the 2nd time. was on ribavirin and interfereon for a very short time. those 2 drugs totally kicked my ass and i had NO help. tryin again to see if anything’s new. no trials around here and only 2 in N.Y.C. which is kind of unbelievable. there’s gotta be more, but that’s what i’m seeing.
I cured my own Hep C with herbs and vitamins and amino acids and natural supplements.
sorry-made a typing error and not doing this over-it’s late and i’m exhausted as usual. i’ll tell you what-even tho you tell ppl about hep c symptoms-extreme fatigue, etc… you get no offers of help. since i look normal, no remembers how freakin tired i always am and they can’t understand why i don’t wanna participate in all they do. also, i’m goin back to the gastro doc on aug. 1st to see if there’s any thing new in the way of treatments that don’t involve toxic ribavirin and interferon. THOSE drugs are way worse than living with fatigue. lost hair and had a severe rash from them, but at least it was winter. hate to pay the $35 co-pay for just a few minutes of his time. i’m not the doc’s relative or friend. they don’t CARE! hahahha looks like i typed it over.
Emerald star
They are coming up with some new treatments the first of the year that doesn’t involve Ribavarin or Interferon. Check online to see when they are out.
I was diagnosed with Hep C many years ago, have an extremely high viral load and have been on treatments three different times. Each time I was on treament I cleared the virus and then as soon as the treatment was over the Hep C came right back. Each time I was on treatments I became extremely ill, the last time I develped encephalopathy and lost my gall bladder. The medication quite nearly killed me, yet my doctor insisted I stick it out. I have never had any symptoms of the disease except for fatique and all my liver biopsies are normal. During a recent surgery my liver had to be temporarily lifted out to get to the underlying area. After the surgery my surgeon informed me that I have a perfectly healthy liver, pink/red and scar/damage free. So I don’t know if the treatments have kept my liver healthy or if they have been totally unecessary. However, I can tell you without hesitation that I will never, ever again consider any kind of treatment for this disease. The approach is archaic and dangerous in my opinion.
I agree with you; I have tried the treatments twice over the last 18 years and Hep C came back each time. The treatments are worse than having the disease! I don’t feel great a lot of the time, but I’m not in horrible shape either. I have been living with this disease for a long time, and have learned that I just need to take care of myself by eating well, getting enough rest, trying to alleviate as much stress as possible, limit medications, and absolutely no alcohol. I just keep going (I’m now in my mid-50’s) and make the most of my life day by day. Grateful to feel as well as I do. Grateful to still be here and doing ok.
Some reports have said that even if a tx does not put you in remission, it can sometimes keep ur liver a bit healthier.
Denise My son went on treatment twice and had to quit it made him so sick. We now have him on a diet that consists of no red meats, beef, pork(except the white kind not red pork) light olive oil only for his oil fats and even on veggies instead of butter. lots of veggies and fruits and grains, mostly alkaline food, Maximum Milk Thistle, 1000 mg Vitamin C a day, high dose of b complex and he has been on this for the last 6 years. His ALT levels(what detemines how far the disease has progressed) are almost at the normal level and he exercises every day, racquet ball, lifts weights paint ball, running, anything that will give his body a good workout every day and he is doing well. If you can’t cure it , you can at least keep it under control. Good Luck
Betty
Don’t give up!!! Even though I am a Genotype 2, I’m African-American and have been told I may not clear the disease at all (have treated twice, no luck in fact counts have risen) but all that said I am not giving up, I have Peripheral neuropathy and brain fog, rashes, but I refuse to give in. And with High blood pressure this new issue is scary, but I will eat, exercise and pray for me and all of us to be rid of this Dragon!
Good attitude, Monique. You’ve been through a lot and I hope u can see some relief soon.
Monique
I think the brain fog may be from eating a lot of meat. With Hep C your Body can’t [process the fats from the meats well thereby creating the brain fog. Stick to baked chicken and fish only and maybe 2-3 times a week and the rest of the time beans, legumes and lots of veggies and fruits and whole grains.Gotta get your diet more alkaline and add more veggies and grains. easier on the liver. Throw in some Maximum Milk Thistle, Vita c 1000 mg, high dose b complex. You might even want to see a natural Dr they can be reall helpful with Hep C Good Luck
Betty
I completed Gileads Drug Trial NCTO 1384383(GS-5885, GS-9451 With Peginterferon Alfa 2a (PEG) and Ribavirin in Treatment-Naïve Subjects With Chronic Genotype 1 Hep C Virus Infection and IL28B CC Genotype) Was RVR at 2 Weeks And Have sustained SVR thru 12 weeks of the drugs. Minimal side effects low blood count the largest concern. I now am at one year and 4 weeks undetectable viral lode. I’m pleased with the results and praying that I do not relapse. The good part about the trial I participated in was open label. I new exactly what I would be taking and treating was 6 weeks one leg and 12 weeks on the other leg. I was chosen to do the 12 weeks leg. Yes I did feel bad at the end of 12 weeks and slowly came back to normal at about 3 months post treatment. Please everyone stay positive the cure is near. GS-5885 is very near to being available as a SOC drug and may possibly be used with another oral drug as an all oral and Interferon free treatment. These trials are ongoing now. My trial had a 95% success rate.
Thanks to all.
I will never give up. I am one of those boring people never drank, smoke or did drugs. I got this horrible disease through in 1985. I needed a hysterectomy. At my next annual physical they found my bloodwork was crazy. It was not until 1994 that dx the disease. So off I went to my Gastro MD. I had all the treatments. Besides. being put on a a transplant list. I sometimes feel like I was an experiment.I use to so sick from the treatment. Well after being on the donor list for nineteen years I was taken off with the excuse the I am stable. When I was told this neither the doctor or NP could look at me. And the surgeon whom put me on the list stood outside just smiling. At that moment this happened I lost total respect for all three of them. The NP said I could come back if I had any problems. Hell will freeze before I would do that. They never even wrote to Gastro MD to tell him. By the way treatments are are terrible. I now have asthma and a very low platlet count. But I still go on. I will never let this thiing beat me. So I know how you feel.
There is a great all oral treatment(s) coming to market shortly. I hope you have access to them. I did (in a trial) and am now cured.