Carotid Artery Disease

Carotid artery disease is a blockage in the arteries that supply the brain and face with oxygen-rich blood. This disease causes more than half of the strokes in the United States.

What causes carotid artery disease?

Arteries are blood vessels that move oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. The carotid arteries supply blood to the brain, neck and face. Plaque, a waxy substance made of fat, cholesterol, calcium and other substances, can build up in the carotid arteries and partially or totally restrict the flow of blood.

Plaque can also rupture, forming a clot that restricts the flow of blood to the brain. This can lead to a stroke, which occurs when blood is cut off to part of the brain.

Risk factors for carotid artery disease include:

  • Smoking
  • High cholesterol
  • High blood pressure

Symptoms of carotid artery disease

Some people with carotid artery disease don’t experience symptoms until they have the signs of a stroke. When warning signs of carotid artery disease do occur, they may include:

  • Bruit: An abnormal “whooshing” sound your doctor may hear when listening to your carotid arteries with a stethoscope
  • Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): A “mini-stroke” that may cause sudden numbness in the face or limbs, trouble speaking, dizziness, loss of balance and difficulty seeing

How is carotid artery disease diagnosed?

Carotid artery disease can be diagnosed using a combination of your medical history, a physical exam, and the results from several tests, including:

How is carotid artery disease treated?

Carotid artery disease can be treated through lifestyle changes, medication and medical procedures. Lifestyle changes that may prevent or treat coronary artery disease include:

  • Maintaining a healthy diet to lower high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol
  • Quitting smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke
  • Increasing your physical activity
  • Managing your weight

You may be prescribed medication to treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes, which can worsen carotid artery disease. Medications such as aspirin and clopidogrel can also prevent blood clots from forming in the carotid artery, which may reduce your risk of having a stroke (always talk to your doctor before starting yourself on a medication, even aspirin).

Blocked carotid arteries may require one of the following procedures if lifestyle changes aren’t enough: