You might be familiar with coronary artery disease, but how much do you know about carotid artery disease?
The two conditions deal with arteries in different parts of the body. They are basically the same. Both coronary artery disease and carotid artery disease occur when blood flow is cut off to a certain part of the body.
When any part of the body is deprived of blood, it is also deprived of oxygen and nutrients. That can have dangerous and even deadly consequences, so prompt treatment is important.
What is carotid artery disease?
Carotid artery disease occurs when the carotid arteries narrow or become blocked. These arteries, which are located on each side of the neck, are responsible for carrying blood to the brain and head.
When a carotid artery becomes blocked, blood flow to the brain, face and head is limited or even fully cut off.
Carotid artery disease is often the result of atherosclerosis, which causes fatty plaque to accumulate along the walls of blood vessels. As this plaque builds up, it can eventually block blood from traveling through the artery.
The carotid artery can sometimes become blocked by a blood clot, which can then travel through the bloodstream to the brain. Regardless of what causes the blockage, carotid artery disease can lead to serious and life-threatening health issues, including stroke.
What are the symptoms of carotid artery disease?
In many cases, carotid artery disease doesn’t cause any noticeable symptoms as it develops.
When a blockage of the carotid artery is severe, it may cause a bruit. This is a “whoosh” sound from the artery that can be heard through a stethoscope. A bruit can be detected only during a medical exam. It is usually noticed only during a medical visit for another medical condition.
A transient ischemic attack, or TIA, is another potential symptom of carotid artery disease. ATIA is often called a “mini-stroke.” Despite the name, this is still an emergency. If you experience sudden vision trouble, weakness on one side, confusion, an inability to communicate or understand speech, or a severe headache with no known cause, seek immediate medical attention.
The symptoms of a TIA often last only a few minutes. But a TIA can be a sign that an ischemic stroke may occur again soon, so a diagnosis and treatment are important.
How is carotid artery disease treated?
The treatment for carotid artery disease will vary depending on the severity of the blockage and whether you’re experiencing symptoms. In many cases, the condition is treated, at least initially, with a combination of lifestyle changes and medications.
Multiple medications may be used to control risk factors for plaque development, including high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Aspirin or other medications may be prescribed to prevent blood clots.
Procedures may also be recommended. You may have heard of angioplasty as a way to treatcoronary artery blockages. The procedure can be used to treat blockages in other arteries, too.
During an angioplasty, a small tube called a catheter is inserted into an artery and guided to the blockage in the carotid artery. Once the catheter is in place at the blockage, a tiny balloon on the tip of the catheter is inflated, pushing plaque to the artery walls and opening up blood flow. A stent may then be put in place to keep the artery open.
A surgical procedure known as carotid endarterectomy is a common treatment for a blocked carotid artery. During this procedure, a vascular surgeon accesses the blocked carotid artery through an incision in the neck, then cleans out the plaque and sews the artery shut.
The optimal treatment for you will depend on several factors. Consult with your care team about the best option in your case.
Next Steps
If you’ve been diagnosed with carotid artery disease, have peace of mind in knowing that the vascular surgeons at Georgia Heart Institute are here to help. With years of experience and advanced technology, your health is in good hands. Call 770-219-4000 or click here for more information.
William Zickler, MD, is a vascular surgeon with the Northeast Georgia Physicians Group Vascular Center, an integral part of Georgia Heart Institute.