Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis and Mobility Function With Exercise Intervention

Moderate (50-69%) asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (ACAS) is an important and under-appreciated contributor to balance and mobility dysfunction. This is significant because declines in balance and mobility are a significant predictor of falls, disability, loss of independence, and death in older adults. Further, falls and fall-related injuries in older adults cost approximately 50 billion dollars annually in the United States, and are the leading cause of adverse events reported by the Veterans Health Administration. This proposal seeks to: 1) investigate the impact of a supervised aerobic and challenging balance exercise program on balance and mobility function in patients with moderate ACAS; and 2) elucidate whether these changes are related to changes in cerebral perfusion. With 830,000 Veterans estimated to have moderate ACAS and at risk for balance and mobility dysfunction and increased falls, the findings from this study could have significant impacts on the clinical management, quality of life, and functional independence of Veterans with moderate ACAS.