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Dr. Srinath Ramaswamy, MD is a null in New York, NY specializing in psychiatry & neurology, general practice and neurology (brain & spinal cord disease). He graduated from Thanjavur Medical College. Dr. Srinath Ramaswamy, MD is affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian, ColumbiaDoctors and CUIMC/Neurological Institute of New York.
Carotid Ultrasound
A carotid ultrasound is an exam that takes pictures of the carotid arteries, or the main arteries in the neck. These important arteries supply blood to the brain as well as to the face and scalp. Sometimes they can become narrowed or clogged with a fatty buildup called plaque, a condition called carotid artery disease.
Ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses sound waves to take pictures of the inside of the body. It is painless and does not use radiation. During a carotid ultrasound, a gel that helps transmit the sound waves is applied to the skin. Then a wand is moved over the skin, sending sound waves through the neck and producing a picture on the computer screen.
A carotid ultrasound is usually performed to diagnose carotid artery disease. The ultrasound can look for narrow sections of artery, plaque buildup, or blood clots that may decrease blood flow to the brain. Plaque and blood clots can potentially break off into the bloodstream and get stuck within the brain, causing a stroke. A specific kind of ultrasound called Doppler ultrasound can detect motion and measure how well blood is flowing. Carotid ultrasound can also be used to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment for carotid artery disease, such as a stent.
Carotid ultrasounds are easy and painless, require no recovery, and provide important information about the health of the neck arteries.
Stroke
A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when a blood vessel supplying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is ruptured or blocked. The brain cannot function without a steady supply of oxygen and nutrients, so when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, even for a brief moment, brain cells begin to die. When a sufficient number of brain cells die, the brain itself can no longer function, meaning that strokes are very dangerous. Strokes can result in impaired movement, speech, cognitive ability, the impairment of important physical functions, and even death.
Anyone can have a stroke, regardless of age and health. Strokes are known to happen at random. However, certain conditions and behaviors can increase one's risk of stroke over time.
Risk factors for stroke include:
There are two main types of stroke: ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic stroke occurs more commonly and is when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked. Blockages are caused by blood clots and built-up plaque (deposits of fat and cholesterol), which leads to atherosclerosis, a condition where the blood vessels narrow and harden. The resultant restricted blood flow may lead to an ischemic stroke by blocking essential oxygen to the brain, causing the heart to exert more effort to pump blood.
Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in or around the brain ruptures. The burst vessel leaks blood into surrounding brain tissue, causing irreparable brain damage.
Hemorrhagic strokes are less common and may occur from head injuries, brain aneurysms, brain tumors, and bleeding disorders, amongst other conditions.
Both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes require immediate medical treatment. Medical intervention can prevent severe and life-threatening brain damage. Signs of stroke include:
-Disorientation or confusion
-Difficulty speaking
-Difficulty walking
-Impaired vision
-Weakness in the face, legs, or arms
-Severe headaches
When someone suspected of having a stroke reaches the hospital, the patient will usually receive a CT or other scan that provides an image of the brain. The scan results can reveal clotted or leaking blood in the brain. Physical exams, neurological exams, and blood tests may also be used to check for blood clotting and sugar. Treatment begins generally immediately if a stroke is detected.
Medical treatment for ischemic strokes includes a thrombolytic medicine which breaks up and disperses blood clots. This medicine can greatly improve stroke recovery and long-term health. However, the thrombolytic medicine must be administered as soon as possible to achieve these results. Other treatments for ischemic strokes are blood thinners and thrombectomy, a surgical procedure to remove a blood clot in the brain. Thrombectomy is performed by inserting a catheter (thin needle) into the artery to reach the blood clot and mechanically remove it. With the clot removed, normal blood flow to the brain resumes. Thrombectomy is typically performed at most six hours after a patient shows signs of a stroke.
Hemorrhagic strokes are treated with blood-saving medication and surgery. For a hemorrhagic stroke caused by the rupture of an aneurysm (blood vessel bulges), surgery to stem the bleeding aneurysm and vessel may be used. One surgical technique is stent-assisted coiling, which adds a stent (small wire-meshed tube) into the blood vessel to block the leaking opening of the aneurysm. A non-surgical procedure is endovascular coiling, where a catheter (thin, hollow needle) places a platinum wire coil at the spot of the aneurysm. The coil blocks bleeding and prevents the aneurysm from continuing to leak blood. These procedures are usually combined with blood-thickening medications. Blood transfusions may be administered if substantial blood loss has occurred.
Since stroke patients may have lost some essential functions while the blood flow to their brains was obstructed, both ischemic stroke and hemorrhage stroke patients may receive post-stroke rehabilitation to rebuild their physical and mental abilities. Some restorative treatments include occupational, physical, and speech therapy. Patients may also receive care from neurologists, who can assist patients in recovering certain brain functions and cognitive abilities, and rehabilitation psychologists, who may help patients with their emotional, behavioral, and cognitive recovery. Some stroke patients require lengthy rehabilitation and may never fully regain function, while others may recover more quickly. While the fastest recovery improvements are usually seen in the first three or four months, stroke rehabilitation can last for years.
If someone begins to show signs of stroke, contact emergency services and call 9-1-1 immediately since blood flow must be restored as soon as possible to help avoid significant brain damage. If an ambulance takes the person to the hospital, paramedics can initiate stroke treatment as soon as the patient enters the ambulance, allowing for more prompt medical intervention and care.
Dr. Srinath Ramaswamy, MD graduated from Thanjavur Medical College. He completed residency at SUNY Downstate Medical Center and Affiliated Hospitals. He is certified by the Neurology Vascular Neurology and has a state license in New York.
Medical School: Thanjavur Medical College
Residency: SUNY Downstate Medical Center and Affiliated Hospitals
Board Certification: Neurology Vascular Neurology
Licensed In: New York
Dr. Srinath Ramaswamy, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Dr. Srinath Ramaswamy, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: VNSNY CHOICE, CIGNA, Healthspring (Cigna Medicare), Local 1199, Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield, RiverSpring, Emblem/GHI, Medicare, Affinity Health Plan, Amida Care, UnitedHealthcare, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield Healthplus, Emblem/Hip, Fidelis Care, MVP Health Care, WellCare, World Trade Center Health Plan, Magnacare (National), AETNA, Multiplan, Healthfirst, MultiPlan, United Healthcare POS, United Healthcare HMO, Aetna POS, MVP Health Care, MagnaCare, Vytra, Great-West Healthcare, Healthfirst, Aetna EPO, Aetna PPO, Aetna HMO, GHI PPO, Group Health Incorporated (GHI), Aetna Signature Administrators, CIGNA PPO, CIGNA POS, CIGNA HMO, CIGNA EPO, EmblemHealth, WellCare, Medicaid Managed Care, Blue Shield PPO, Blue Shield HMO, Blue Shield EPO, UnitedHealthcare, Affinity Health Plan, United Healthcare, Medicare, Medicaid, Cigna, 1199SEIU, Oxford HMO, Fidelis Care, HIP PPO, HIP POS, HIP EPO, HIP HMO, Empire BlueCross BlueShield HMO, Empire BlueCross BlueShield PPO, Empire BlueCross BlueShield, Aetna, Healthfirst - Leaf (Exchange), AETNA - Student Health, MVP Health Care - Child/Family Health Plus, Healthfirst - Child/Family Health Plus, Empire Blue Cross - EPO, AETNA - NY Signature, Amida Care - Special Needs, AETNA - Medicare Managed Care, Healthfirst - Medicare Managed Care, VNSNY CHOICE - SelectHealth, VNSNY CHOICE - Medicare Managed Care, MVP Health Care - Essential Plan, RiverSpring - Special Needs, World Trade Center Health Plan - World Trade Center Health Plan, Medicare - Traditional Medicare, VNSNY CHOICE - Special Needs and MVP Health Care - HMO.
According to our sources, Dr. Srinath Ramaswamy, MD accepts the following insurance providers:
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Dr. Srinath Ramaswamy is a specialist in vascular neurology. He is especially interested in stroke and neurological disorders. Dr. Ramaswamy is affiliated with ColumbiaDoctors. Before completing his residency at a hospital affiliated with SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Dr. Ramaswamy attended medical school at Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER). Dr. Ramaswamy most likely takes Blue California, Empire BlueCross BlueShield, and CIGNA Plans, as well as other insurance carriers. He has received the following distinctions: Resident of the year, Neurology; Resident of the year (research), Neurology; and Best graduating resident, Internal Medicine. His practice in New York, NY is open to new patients as reported by ColumbiaDoctors.
