Carotid Artery Disease

Carotid artery disease, also called carotid stenosis, occurs when fatty deposits (plaques) block the blood vessels that transport oxygen-rich blood to your brain. Without treatment, this blockage increases the risk of stroke, a medical emergency. 

What are the symptoms of carotid artery disease?

Carotid artery disease develops slowly and rarely presents symptoms. Often, the first indication is a transient ischemic attack (TIA). A TIA temporarily slows blood flow to the brain. Tell-tale signs include:

• Numbness or weakness in the face or limbs on one side of the body
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• A severe headache with no known cause
• Dizziness or loss of balance
• Trouble speaking or understanding speech

If you or a loved one experience any of these symptoms, call 911 or visit your nearest emergency room immediately.

How is carotid artery disease diagnosed?

Your Texas Cardiac and Vascular Specialists provider reviews your medical records and asks about your general health and lifestyle. Next, your provider listens to the blood pumping through your carotid artery with a stethoscope. If they hear a swooshing sound, your artery may be partially blocked.

Next, your provider assesses your speech, memory, and strength. They also order imaging tests, such as an ultrasound. An ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to assess blood flow to your carotid arteries and blood pressure.

How is carotid artery disease treated?

The Texas Cardiac and Vascular Specialists team treats carotid artery disease using a conservative and integrative approach.

If your artery blockage is mild, they recommend healthy lifestyle changes to reduce the buildup of fatty deposits. Often, this includes losing weight, eating a balanced diet, and getting regular exercise. They might also prescribe medications to control your blood pressure or lower your cholesterol.

If your carotid artery blockage is severe, or you have a history of stroke, you might need surgery. The most common surgeries used to treat carotid artery disease include:

Carotid endarterectomy

During this procedure, your surgeon makes an incision in the front of your neck, opens the blocked carotid artery, and removes the fatty buildup. Then, they use stitches or a graft to repair your artery.

Carotid angioplasty and stenting

The team recommends this procedure if your artery blockage is hard to reach or you have a history of stroke. 

During angioplasty and stenting, your provider inserts a tiny balloon into a catheter –– a thin, hollow tube. After positioning the balloon, your provider inflates it, widening your blocked artery. Then, they insert a stent –– a small, mesh tube –– into the space to prevent the artery from narrowing again.

Call Texas Cardiac and Vascular Specialists to schedule carotid artery disease treatment, or book your appointment online today.