Carotid Artery Disease

 

What is Carotid Artery Disease?

Carotid artery disease occurs when the major arteries in the neck become narrowed or blocked. These arteries supply blood from the heart to the brain. Carotid artery disease is a serious health problem because it can cause a stroke. Cartoid artery disease can be asymptomatic or symptomatic.

Blood Supply to the Brain

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What Causes Carotid Artery Disease?

Carotid artery disease is caused by the build-up of plaque along the lining of the arteries. This build-up is known as atherosclerosis. Plaque is made up of cholesterol, fat, and other substances.

Risk Factors for Carotid Artery Disease

  • Family history of atherosclerosis
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Peripheral artery disease (PAD) disease of the arteries (usually in the legs) caused by fatty build-up
  • Age – men aged 75 or younger, women aged 75 years or older
  • Smoking
  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • High cholesterol
  • Obesity

Symptoms of Carotid Artery Disease

There are usually no symptoms. Tell your doctor if you have symptoms of a stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA or mini-stroke). This is a warning sign that you may have carotid artery disease. Symptoms may include:

  • Blindness, blurry or dim vision
  • Weakness, numbness, or tingling of the face, arm, leg, or one side of the body
  • Difficulty speaking or understanding words
  • Dizziness, unsteadiness of gait, or falling
  • Trouble with balance or coordination
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Sudden confusion or loss of memory

Diagnosing & Treatments for Carotid Artery Disease

Diagnosing Carotid Artery Disease
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Your doctor will listen for irregular blood flow in the carotid arteries with a stethoscope. Tests may include:
  • Carotid ultrasonography – uses a device placed on the side of the neck to detect the narrow parts of the arteries
  • Computer tomography angiography (CTA) – uses computer enhanced X-ray images and a special liquid injected into the blood to examine blood flow through the arteries
  • Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) – magnetic fields and a special liquid injected into the blood to make images of the arteries
Treating Carotid Artery Disease
The following procedures are offered at St. Elizabeth's Interventional Peripheral Vascular Lab for treatment depending on a patient's diagnosis:
Asymptomatic carotid artery disease
  • Catheter-based Revascularization. These procedures involve a thin tube called a catheter, which is inserted into an artery. These procedures include:

    • Balloon angioplasty. A balloon-tipped catheter is used to press plaque against the wall of the artery. This increases the amount of space for the blood to flow.
    • Stenting. Usually done after angioplasty. A wire mesh tube is placed in a damaged artery. It will support the wall of the artery and keep it open.
Symptomatic carotid artery disease
  • Stenting. This type of procedure is a less invasive surgery in which a balloon is inserted into the artery to widen it. Then a metal mesh tube, called a stent, is inserted which expands the inside the carotid artery to increase blood flow in areas blocked by plaque.

How to Prevent Carotid Artery Disease

To help reduce your chance of getting carotid artery disease, you will need to decrease the risk factors that you can control. For example, you can reduce your cholesterol, blood pressure and weight. Here are some steps to decrease these risk factors: 

  • Exercise regularly.
  • Eat more fruits and vegetables. Limit dietary salt and fat.
  • Stop smoking.
  • If you drink alcohol, do so only in moderation. This means having no more than two drinks per day if you are a man, and no more than one drink per day if you are woman.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Keep your blood pressure in a safe range. Follow your doctor's recommendations if you have high blood pressure.
  • Keep other conditions under control. This includes high cholesterol and diabetes.