Carotid Artery Disease

Carotid artery disease is a condition in which the carotid arteries become narrowed or blocked. When the arteries become narrowed, the condition is called carotid stenosis.The carotid arteries provide the main blood supply to the brain. They are located on each side of your neck. You Can feel their pulse under the jawline.

Carotid Artery Disease

Causes

Carotid artery disease occurs when sticky, fatty substances called plaque build up in the inner lining of the arteries. See also: Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)The plaque may slowly block or narrow the carotid artery or cause a clot (thrombus) to form more suddenly. Clots Can lead to stroke.

Risk factors for blockage or narrowing of the arteries include:

  • Alcohol abuse
  • Cocaine use
  • Diabetes
  • Family history of stroke
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Increasing age
  • Smoking (people who smoke one pack a day double their risk of a stroke)

Two uncommon conditions called Marfan syndrome and fibromuscular dysplasia (abnormal growth or development of the cells in the walls of carotid arteries) may also cause narrowing of the carotid arteries.

Symptoms

You may not have any symptoms of carotid artery disease.You may have symptoms of a stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA). Some of these symptoms include:

  • Blurred vision
  • Confusion
  • Loss of memory
  • Loss of sensation
  • Problems with speech and language
  • Vision loss
  • Weakness in one part of your body

Exams and Tests

Your health care provider will perform a physical exam. The health care provider may hear an abnormal sound called a bruit when using a stethoscope to listen to the blood flow in your neck. A physical exam may also reveal clots in the blood vessels of the eye. If you have had a stroke or TIA, a nervous system (neurological) exam will reveal other problems.

Risks

The risks depend on the type of arteriogram performed. Talk to your doctor about the risks involved before you have the test.

Risks may include:

  • Allergic reaction to the dye used
  • Bleeding, infection, and pain at the injection site
  • Blood clots
  • Damage to blood vessels
  • Damage to the kidneys from the dye used (higher risk for people with diabetes)

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