What to do about cervical vascular stenosis
Oct 29, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Lei
Introduction
In general, cervical vascular stenosis may be caused by long-term poor posture, aging, cervical spondylosis, atherosclerosis, vertebral artery dissection, and other factors. Patients can choose appropriate management methods such as conservative treatment, medication, or surgical intervention based on their specific conditions. In daily life, sudden head turning and vigorous head shaking should be avoided to prevent further damage to the cervical blood vessels.
Under normal circumstances, cervical vascular stenosis may be caused by long-term poor posture, aging, cervical spondylosis, atherosclerosis, or vertebral artery dissection. Patients can improve their condition through general management, medication, or surgical treatment depending on the specific situation. Detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Long-term Poor Posture
Prolonged低头 using mobile phones or working at a desk keeps the cervical spine in a flexed position, compressing surrounding blood vessels and leading to narrowing of the vascular lumen. It is recommended to correct sitting and standing posture, get up and move the neck every 30 minutes during work, perform head-lifting and turning exercises, and use pillows of appropriate height to avoid excessive pressure on the cervical spine.
2. Aging
With increasing age, the elasticity of cervical blood vessel walls gradually decreases, making vessels stiffer and more fragile, which predisposes them to luminal narrowing. Regular neck muscle exercises such as the "rice-character" cervical exercise can help slow vascular aging. Regular monitoring of blood pressure and lipid levels should also be performed to maintain vascular health.
3. Cervical Spondylosis
Conditions such as cervical disc herniation or bone spurs associated with cervical spondylosis can directly compress cervical blood vessels, causing luminal narrowing and impaired blood flow. Under medical guidance, patients may take medications such as celecoxib capsules, mecobalamin tablets, or eperisone hydrochloride tablets to relieve pain, nourish nerves, and relax muscles. In severe cases, anterior cervical discectomy and fusion surgery may be required to relieve vascular compression.
4. Atherosclerosis
Abnormal lipid levels lead to fat deposition on the walls of cervical blood vessels, forming plaques that narrow the vessel lumen. Under medical supervision, patients may take atorvastatin calcium tablets, enteric-coated aspirin tablets, or clopidogrel tablets to regulate lipids and prevent thrombosis. When plaque severely blocks the vessel, carotid endarterectomy may be necessary to remove the plaque.
5. Vertebral Artery Dissection
Trauma to the cervical spine or inherent weakness in the vessel wall can cause tearing of the vertebral artery's inner lining, allowing blood to enter the arterial layer and form a hematoma that compresses the lumen and causes stenosis. Immediate medical attention is required. Anticoagulant medications such as warfarin sodium, rivaroxaban, or dabigatran etexilate capsules may be prescribed to prevent thrombus formation. In some cases, vertebral artery stenting may be needed to restore blood flow.
In daily life, sudden head-turning or vigorous shaking of the head should be avoided to prevent further damage to cervical blood vessels. A light diet is recommended, with reduced intake of high-fat and high-cholesterol foods. If symptoms such as dizziness or limb numbness occur, prompt medical evaluation is essential to prevent worsening of the condition and compromised blood supply.
