Understanding Carotid Artery Disease

At CardioVascular Health Clinic, your overall health matters to us, and it starts with caring for your heart.

Our cardiology and vascular team at CardioVascular Health Clinic specialize in diagnosing, treating, and preventing various vascular and cardiovascular conditions, including carotid artery disease. 

Our providers are experienced in identifying the signs and risk factors of carotid artery disease and stroke and are committed to your long-term heart health.

Let’s discuss carotid artery disease in more detail, including its potential symptoms and effective treatment options to prevent stroke.

What Is Carotid Artery Disease?

Carotid artery disease is a blockage of carotid arteries that move blood to the brain and head. 

Fatty deposits called plaque build up in these blood vessels and increase the risk of stroke by reducing blood flow, producing blood clot blockages, or a plaque rupture.

Causes and Symptoms of a Carotid Artery

Carotid artery disease develops over time with the gradual accumulation of plaque in the carotid arteries and may not present any symptoms in the early stages. 

These clogged arteries are stiff and unable to move oxygen, blood, and nutrients to the brain. 

The first sign of carotid artery disease is often a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), sometimes called a mini-stroke. 

The signs of a stroke are

• Face drooping: Is one side of the face starting to droop or become numb? When asked to smile, is the person’s smile uneven or lopsided?
• Arm weakness: Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
• Speech: Is speech slurred? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Is the person unable to speak or difficult to understand?

If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if they seem to go away, call 911 and get them to the hospital immediately.

A stroke can also display several other sudden symptoms, including

• Numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Confusion, difficulty speaking, or garbled speech
• Difficulty seeing with one or both eyes
• Difficulty walking, sudden dizziness or loss of balance or coordination
• Severe headache with no apparent cause

Carotid artery disease is difficult to detect before a stroke occurs. If you are concerned that you or a loved one has suffered a TIA or a stroke, call 911 immediately.

Carotid Artery Disease Treatment

During your initial exam, one of our experienced providers will conduct a thorough family history, medical history, and physical examination to try to determine the presence of carotid artery disease or your risk of developing it. 

They may also order several tests, including an ultrasound, CT, MRI, or angiography.

Carotid artery disease is usually treated with medication, lifestyle changes, and, in some cases, surgery to prevent a future stroke. 

These treatment plans aim to slow any atherosclerosis (artery hardening), control your blood pressure, and remove any existing blockages.

Don’t wait for a stroke to discover if you have carotid artery disease. 

Call CardioVascular Health Clinic today at (405) 701-9880 to schedule an appointment or schedule online.