Carotid artery disease is a leading cause of stroke. Prompt diagnosis and treatment is vital to halting the progress of the disease and preventing the complications it can create. UH vascular surgery and vascular medicine doctors diagnose and care for patients with carotid artery disease every day. Equipped with the latest surgical and endovascular (minimally invasive) procedures, and the most effective medical treatments, our team is committed to providing patients with the best possible care.
What is carotid artery disease?
Carotid artery disease is a narrowing or blockage of either of the two major arteries located on the sides of the neck that carry oxygen-rich blood to the head (carotid arteries). It is typically caused by atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, resulting from the buildup of plaque – cholesterol, fat and other substances that accumulate on the inner lining of the artery.
Carotid artery disease poses a serious health risk, because decreases in the blood flow to the brain can trigger a stroke, which may cause lasting or permanent complications, or a mini-stroke (transient ischemic attack, or TIA).
Symptoms
Carotid artery disease often has no symptoms in its early stages. To help discover if an individual is at risk for this disease, UH offers screenings for early intervention. Without this evaluation, the condition may go undetected until a stroke or TIA announces its presence. When a person suffers from a TIA, these symptoms typically go away within 24 hours. However, they should be reported to a physician immediately, because a TIA indicates that the individual is at serious risk for a stroke.
Symptoms of stroke or TIA include the following:
- Weakness, numbness or a tingling sensation in the face, arm or leg, usually on one side of the body
- Inability to control the movement of an arm or a leg
- Sudden, fleeting blindness in one eye
- Slurred or garbled speech
Learn more about our Give Me 5! warnings signs of stroke.