Carotid artery disease happens when substances build up in the two
biggest arteries in the neck and block the flow of blood to your brain.
This is also sometimes called coronary artery stenosis. When blood
supply is blocked from the brain, it causes a stroke. Clogged arteries
in the neck may lead to strokes. Carotid artery disease usually does not
cause any symptoms in its early stages. People usually do not know they
have a problem until they have a stroke. Strokes can be dangerous and
even deadly. Treatment options may include lifestyle changes and
medication. In severe cases, surgery may be needed.
Introduction
The buildup of substances in the two biggest arteries in the neck can
limit or block the supply of blood to your brain. This is known as
carotid artery stenosis or carotid artery disease.
Clogged arteries in the neck may lead to strokes.
This program will help you better understand carotid artery disease, its
causes, complications, diagnosis and how it is treated.
Anatomy
Two main blood vessels in the front of the neck provide blood to the brain.
These blood vessels are called carotid arteries.
The carotid arteries deliver blood to the arteries in the brain.
Symptoms and their Causes
Carotid artery disease usually does not cause any symptoms in its early
stages. People usually do not know they have a problem until they have a
stroke.
Strokes happen when the brain does not receive enough blood.
A sudden drop in the amount of blood getting to the brain may cause a
”little stroke,” also known as a TIA, short for Transient Ischemic
Attack.
Symptoms of a little stroke, or TIA, may include numbness, weakness and
difficulties with speech or vision. These symptoms last for only a short
time.
Strokes occur when there is a loss of blood to the brain for a longer
time.
The resulting brain damage can cause a loss of speech or a loss of
coordination. This may require hospitalization.
Large strokes can also result in death.
Around one third of the people who have had a little stroke or TIA go on
to suffer a more serious stroke.
If an artery is clogged, blood cannot get to the brain.
This is how a normal artery looks if you cut it in the middle.
Notice the smooth walls of the artery. Arteries that look like this are
common in children and young adults.
The arteries can get clogged with plaque, which consists of cholesterol,
debris and other materials.
As the plaque layer thickens, enough blood cannot get to the brain.
This condition is called hardening of the arteries.
A small piece of plaque may break loose from the artery wall and float
up to the brain.
This piece may flow into and block a smaller artery in the brain,
causing a stroke.
Diagnosis
Since carotid artery disease usually does not cause symptoms in its
early stages, regular visits to your doctor are important in catching
problems early.
Signs of carotid artery disease can be found during a physical exam and
include:
- A whooshing sound called bruit coming from the carotid artery
- Pieces of cholesterol in the blood vessels in the back of your eye
Your doctor may do a Doppler ultrasound to check the arteries. A Doppler
ultrasound uses sound waves that bounce off blood cells to create a
moving picture of blood flow.
Your doctor may order radiological tests that use special dyes that are
injected into the arteries. These dyes make the arteries visible in the
pictures taken. These tests may include:
- MRA, also known as magnetic resonance angiography
- CTA, also known as computerized tomography angiography
- Cerebral angiogram
Treatment Options
If the blockage in the carotid artery is mild, your doctor may recommend
changes to your lifestyle to prevent further blockage and stroke.
Changes to your lifestyle include:
- Not smoking (if you smoke, quit)
- Eating a healthy, low fat diet
- Being active and exercising regularly
- Cutting back on salt
- Controlling your blood sugar if you have diabetes,
- Keeping your blood pressure at a healthy level
Medications can also be used to help treat some cases of carotid artery disease. Medications may be prescribed to:
- Lower blood pressure
- Lower cholesterol
- Prevent blood clots
Your doctor will discuss with you what medications are right for you. Do
not start any medication regimen without discussing it first with your
doctor. This includes over the counter medications.
If medications and lifestyle changes alone cannot control or treat your
carotid artery disease, then surgery may be needed.
Carotid endarterectomy is the most common surgery recommended to treat
carotid artery disease. During this procedure, the carotid artery is
opened through an incision in the neck and the plaque is cleaned off of
the artery walls.
Sometimes a carotid endarterectomy is not possible and an angioplasty
with stenting may be done.
During an angioplasty, the artery in the neck is unblocked and opened
using a balloon. A stent is then placed to hold open and support the
artery. This is usually done through long catheters threaded in the
arteries. This type of procedure does not involve a neck incision.
Summary
Carotid artery disease happens when substances build up in the arteries
in the neck. This can limit or block the supply of blood to your brain.
When blood supply is blocked from the brain, it causes a stroke. Strokes
can be dangerous and even deadly.
Your doctor may do a physical exam and some radiological tests to help
diagnosis carotid artery disease.
Treatment options may include lifestyle changes and medication. In
severe cases, surgery may be needed.
If you have any questions about carotid artery disease, make sure to ask
your healthcare provider.
