An obstructed artery is discovered when a person visits a doctor with complaints of being overtired and listless and perhaps a suspicion of a lack of blood circulation in a specific region of the body. Does this bit of information affect me? Maybe. Maybe not.

Because I do not perceive a problem for myself, I wondered if I could do anything to prevent one from occurring. Probably not. But I can once again look to my activities and decide if I exercise ALL of my muscles which has the effect of circulating blood from my small intestine to the heart. Once again I can look to my diet and decide if the food fills my blood with good stuff or not. Diet pushers provide enough conflicting information to choke the proverbial horse. Most doctors give very few clues because they are trained to dispense medicine, although all agree we must drink lots of water.

A close acquaintance of mine, who is 84 years old, went to a doctor complaining of being overtired among other things. Non-invasive diagnostic tools such as an electrocardiogram, treadmill, and echocardiography were performed.

Peripheral vascular disease was the resulting diagnosis. Peripheral vascular disease is a circulation disorder. Often, it is a narrowing of the blood vessels that carry blood to leg and arm muscles.

The problem, 95% blockage of plaque buildup, was discovered in the artery in the right side of the neck. To remove that plaque an endarterectomy, the term for the surgical removal of plaque in an artery, was deemed imperative. It is called a caroitid endarterectomy when performed to remove a neck artery blockage.

As I understand it, a small incision will be made in the neck and the plaque will be removed. The most advanced technology will be used to guide the surgeon who will use advanced tools to do the deed. Science is so fantastic it boggles my mind. Makes me aware that human brains can solve the most unusual problems when they get together with the determination to improve our health and longevity.