What is the carotid sinus made up of?

What is the carotid sinus made up of?

What is the carotid sinus made up of?

Structure. The carotid sinus is the reflex area of the carotid artery, consisting of baroreceptors which monitor blood pressure.

Where is the main artery in your neck?

The carotid arteries are a pair of blood vessels located on both sides of your neck that deliver blood to your brain and head.

What happens when carotid sinus is pressed?

Carotid sinus hypersensitivity is an exaggerated response to pressure applied to the carotid sinus located in the carotid bifurcation, resulting in bradycardia, vasodilation, and hypotension. This response is manifested clinically as syncope or presyncope and can cause fatal consequences.

What happens when you press carotid artery?

If you press gently on either side of your windpipe, in your neck, you may feel pulsations from the carotid arteries. Like any artery in the body, the carotid arteries may become diseased and blocked inside, either partly or completely.

What happens if you massage your carotid artery?

In some people the carotid sinus becomes over-sensitive which can cause the blood pressure to drop or the heart rate to slow when it is massaged. This can result in dizziness, falls or faints.

What complications are associated with carotid sinus massage?

Eight had transient neurological complications possibly attributable to carotid sinus massage: visual disturbance, ‘pins and needles’ and sensation of finger numbness in two cases each, leg weakness in one and sensation of ‘being drunk’ in one. All transient complications resolved within 24 h.

Should you massage carotid artery?

The carotid sinus area should be massaged for about 5 seconds, beginning gently and progressing more rapidly to heavier pressure. Monitoring the patient for signs of cerebral hypoperfusion such as weakness, paresthesias, and numbness are important in avoiding transient ischemic attacks.

Can you get paralyzed from a massage?

Possible side effects of massage therapy According to doctors, a harmless neck massage can lead to injury to the blood vessels, leading to a stroke or paralytic brain attack.