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Article: DENTAL X-RAYS MAY SHOW POTENTIAL FOR STROKE
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- April 1, 1997
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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Routine dental X-rays can sometimes turn up a key sign of
vulnerability to stroke, a University of Buffalo study shows.
The X-rays also detect potentially dangerous calcium deposits
in the carotid arteries in the neck, which supply blood to the
brain. Calcification of the carotid arteries is a sign of advanced
atherosclerosis, a major cause of stroke.
Researchers said dentists should look for evidence of calcium
deposits in the carotid arteries shown on X-rays and should refer
patients with such evidence to a physician. Most of the 550,000
people who suffer a stroke each year in the United States do not
have obvious symptoms beforehand.
Use of dental X-rays could become an important ...