Carotid Artery Disease
Definition
Carotid artery disease is one of the most common causes of stroke. The carotid arteries are two large blood vessels on each side of the neck. These arteries deliver blood to the brain. In a person with carotid artery disease, cholesterol buildup in the arteries causes the arteries to become narrow or blocked.
Symptoms
Carotid artery disease doesn't cause symptoms until the blood flow to the brain is actually slowed or stopped.
Diagnosis
Several imaging tests can determine is a person has carotid artery disease.
These include:
- Ultrasound of the carotid arteries
- Computed tomography angiogram (CTA)
- Magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA)
Treatment
There are treatments available that can remove the plaque that is causing the arteries to become narrow or blocked.
These include:
- Carotid endarterectomy
- Carotid angioplasty using a balloon or stent
