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Key Points
- Carotid artery disease is a condition in which a
fatty material called plaque builds up inside the carotid arteries. You have
two common carotid arteriesone on each side of your neckthat divide
into internal and external carotid arteries.
- Plaque narrows the carotid arteries and limits
blood flow to the brain. It also makes it more likely that blood clots will
form in the carotid arteries. Blood clots can partly or fully block a carotid
artery.
- Carotid artery disease can be very serious
because it can cause a
stroke, or “brain attack.” A stroke occurs when
blood flow to your brain is cut off. If blood flow is cut off for more than a
few minutes, the cells in your brain start to die. This can cause lasting brain
damage, long-term disability, paralysis (an inability to move), or death.
- Carotid artery disease appears to start when
damage occurs to the inner layers of the carotid arteries. This causes your
body starts a healing process. The healing causes plaque to build up where the
arteries are damaged. Over time, the plaque may crack and cause blood clots to
form in the arteries.
- The major risk factors for carotid artery disease
are unhealthy
blood cholesterol levels,
high
blood pressure, smoking, older age, insulin resistance,
diabetes,
overweight
or obesity,
metabolic
syndrome, lack of physical activity, and a family history of
atherosclerosis.
- Carotid artery disease may not cause signs or
symptoms until it severely narrows or blocks the carotid arteries. Signs and
symptoms may include a bruit, transient ischemic attack (TIA), or a stroke. A
bruit is a whooshing sound your doctor may hear while listening to your carotid
arteries with a stethoscope. A TIA is a “mini-stroke.” During a
mini-stroke, you have some or all of the symptoms of a stroke. However, they
usually go away on their own within 24 hours.
- If you think you're having a stroke or
mini-stroke, you need urgent treatment. Call 911 (don't drive
yourself to the hospital). It's important to get checked and to get treatment
started within 1 hour of having symptoms.
- Your doctor will diagnose carotid artery disease
based on your medical history and the results from a physical exam and tests.
- Treatment for carotid artery disease may include
lifestyle changes, medicines, and medical procedures. The goals of treatment
are to stop the disease from getting worse and to prevent a stroke.
- Taking action to control your risk factors can
help prevent or delay carotid artery disease and stroke. Making lifestyle
changes and taking prescribed medicines are important steps. Know your family
history of health problems related to carotid artery disease.
- If you already have carotid artery disease, you
can take steps to stop it from getting worse. Making lifestyle changes,
following your treatment plan, and knowing the warning signs of stroke are
important.
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