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October 18, 2024

A doctor uses a stethoscope to examine an older man seated in a medical office.

The human body is an intricate piece of engineering, with blood vessels and arteries that transport oxygen-rich blood from one organ to another throughout the body. Of all arteries, the carotid arteries are some of the most important because they provide blood to your face, head, and brain.

When a carotid artery gets blocked with fatty substances and cholesterol deposits, it narrows and causes carotid artery disease. Obstructed arteries can increase your risk for stroke, one of the highest causes of death in the United States.

Let’s discuss carotid artery disease, how it’s diagnosed and treated, and what you can do to prevent it.

What is carotid artery disease? 

Your body has two carotid arteries—one on each side of the neck—and they work to supply the brain, face, and head with oxygenated blood. When they are working properly, they are like smooth pipes supplying nutrient-rich blood.

But when the artery becomes narrowed or clogged by fatty deposits, calcium, or plaque, a blockage can form. Your brain needs a constant supply of oxygen to function correctly, and even a minor interruption can cause problems. While slightly blocked carotid arteries reduce oxygen flow to the brain, severely blocked arteries can cause a stroke.

A stroke is a medical emergency because the blood supply to the brain is compromised. Stroke deprives the brain of the oxygen that is essential to function, requiring medical intervention and potentially causing permanent damage.

Illustration of a brain with a blocked carotid artery, highlighting that carotid disease causes up to one-third of strokes.

Why do I have carotid artery disease?  

Atherosclerosis, a condition where fatty deposits build in the inner layer of the arteries and form plaque, is the leading cause of carotid artery disease. The plaque narrows the arteries and can completely block the blood flow to the brain.

Your risk for carotid artery disease also increases with age. Other risk factors for developing carotid artery stenosis may include:

How can I prevent carotid artery disease?

The good news is you can prevent carotid artery disease or slow down the progression by making simple lifestyle changes daily.  

  • Be more active. Exercise can help your body maintain a healthy weight, lower blood pressure, and reduce your risk for carotid artery disease. The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic activity, or a combination of both, spread throughout the week.
  • Quit smoking. All nicotine products (including vapes, e-cigarettes, or tobacco products) constrict the blood vessels and decrease blood flow through the arteries. 
  • Healthy Eating. A diet comprised of lean meats, skinless chicken and turkey, fruits, green vegetables, and high-fiber foods is important. You should incorporate fish a couple of times a week. Cut back on salty, sugary, and processed foods.
  • Limit salt in your diet. Excess sodium (salt) can increase blood pressure, and it can tend to sneak into your diet via processed foods. Experts recommend staying under 1,500 mg of sodium per day.

If these lifestyle modifications are not enough to manage carotid artery disease, your doctor may need to prescribe medication, which may include:4 

  • Antiplatelets. Aspirin and dipyridamole are some antiplatelet medicines that help thin the blood platelets to reduce the risk of clots.
  • Cholesterol medications. Various medications help your liver produce less cholesterol, preventing plaque in the carotid arteries. 
  • Blood pressure medications. These medicines slow your heart rate, relax your blood vessels, and help your body eliminate extra fluid, lowering blood pressure. 

How is it diagnosed and further treated?

Carotid artery disease often has no symptoms, so if you feel that you or a loved one is at risk for this disease, it is important to visit a cardiologist. 

Your doctor can conduct several tests to check the health of your carotid arteries. The easiest way is using a stethoscope to listen for a humming sound over the carotid artery, which could indicate turbulent blood flow. An ultrasound can also be used to assess blood flow and pressure in your carotid arteries.

Illustration comparing CEA and TCAR: two neck profiles with different incision markings on the skin, labeled accordingly.

If your assessment reveals carotid artery disease, your doctor may prescribe simple lifestyle changes, medicines, or surgery, depending on the severity of your condition. CIS offers many treatment options for carotid artery disease, including a non-invasive procedure called Transcarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR). Compared to traditional open surgery, TCAR has:

  • Less chance of heart attack or nerve injury
  • Shorter procedure and faster recovery
  • A smaller scar than traditional surgery

Without detection or treatment, the plaque build-up can continue without warning until you develop either a transient ischemic attack (TIA or mini-stroke) or a full-blown stroke. Symptoms of TIA can go away after a few minutes, but this doesn’t mean you should ignore it.

What are the signs of a stroke?

 Be vigilant for the following symptoms of a stroke or TIA, and call 911 immediately if you notice:

  • Sudden numbness, weakness, or tingling on one side of the face, body, arm, or leg
  • Sudden loss of vision, blurred vision, or vision difficulty in one or both eyes
  • Sudden loss of balance and difficulty walking
  • Sudden dizziness
  • Sudden severe headache
  • Difficulty speaking (Aphasia)
  • Memory problems
  • Difficulty swallowing (Dysphagia)

In addition to being life-threatening, stroke can cause lasting damage to the brain or long-term disability. This is why prevention and immediate action are so important.

Take Control of Your Health

Starting today, you can implement lifestyle changes and get checked if you think you may be at risk. With the help of a CIS cardiologist, carotid artery disease can be prevented and managed to keep you on a healthy trajectory. Schedule an appointment today!

Make an Appointment

Request an appointment today with a CIS cardiologist.

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Footnotes

  1. The University of Kansas, “Carotid Artery Stenosis,” https://www.kansashealthsystem.com/care/conditions/carotid-artery-stenosis. Accessed September 17, 2022.
  2. Mt. Sinai, “Blacks Found Twice as Likely to Have Atherosclerosis as Hispanics in Young Adult Populations in Underserved Communities,” https://www.mountsinai.org/about/newsroom/2022/blacks-found-twice-as-likely-to-have-atherosclerosis-as-hispanics-in-young-adult-populations-in-underserved-communities. Accessed September 16, 2022.
  3. The University of Kansas, “Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD),” https://www.kansashealthsystem.com/care/conditions/peripheral-artery-disease. Accessed September 17, 2022.
  4. John Hopkins, “Carotid Artery Disease,” https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/carotid-artery-disease. Accessed September 17, 2022.

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