Recognizing Carotid Artery Disease Symptoms, Diagnostic Procedures, and Treatment Plans
Understanding Carotid Artery Disease
Atherosclerosis is a condition that involves plaque deposits that block arteries, and this can happen to the coronary arteries of the heart or the carotid arteries. While coronary arteries are obviously necessary, the carotid arteries are also extremely important, because they are some of the arteries responsible for keeping blood flowing to the brain. Since the brain requires plenty of oxygen-rich blood to function properly, it is vital to receive a carotid artery disease diagnosis early, particularly since this disease often presents no symptoms.
What is Carotid Artery Disease?
Also called carotid artery stenosis, because it involves narrowing of the arteries, carotid artery disease affects the carotid arteries, two large blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood to the front part of the brain. When fatty substances and cholesterol cause these arteries to narrow, it leads to carotid artery disease, which can result in a stroke. A stroke occurs when a blood clot obstructs a blood vessel, a piece of plaque breaks off and clogs a smaller artery, an artery becomes extremely narrow, or an artery ruptures. With carotid artery disease, symptoms do not appear until a stroke occurs, which is why it is so important to undergo checkups. When a stroke occurs, symptoms include:
- Difficulty speaking or understanding speech
- Difficulty swallowing
- Memory problems
- Sudden difficulty walking, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden loss of vision or blurred vision
- Sudden severe headache
- Sudden dizziness or confusion
- Weakness, tingling or numbness on one side of the face or body
- Drooping on one side of the face
By the time the symptoms of a stroke occur, you must call 911 immediately.
Who is at Risk of Carotid Artery Disease?
Though carotid artery disease may seem like something that comes on suddenly, there are certain lifestyle and genetic factors that increase a person’s risk of developing this condition. Someone with a family history of carotid artery or coronary artery disease is at higher risk, as is someone with high cholesterol or high blood pressure. The risk increases with age, and those who smoke, are obese, or have a sedentary lifestyle are at a higher risk. Insulin resistance and diabetes make a person more susceptible to carotid artery disease, and so does sleep apnea.
How is Carotid Artery Disease Diagnosed?
Given that there are no symptoms, carotid artery disease is usually discovered at a physical exam. A primary care physician can detect signs of carotid artery disease by listening to the arteries on the neck with a stethoscope, noting whether there is an abnormal sound, called a bruit, which may indicate carotid artery disease. If bruit is present, further testing will be required to diagnose or rule out carotid artery stenosis. These include a carotid ultrasound, a CT scan or CT angiogram, an MR angiogram, or a carotid angiogram, which is the most invasive of these procedures. A carotid angiogram involves inserting a catheter into the groin or arm and snaking it to the carotid artery to create sophisticated images of the artery.
Carotid Artery Disease Treatment
The first step in addressing carotid artery disease is making some lifestyle modifications. A heart-healthy diet, daily exercise, cessation of smoking, and limitation of alcohol consumption can help reverse this condition. Additionally, your doctor may prescribe certain medications, both to address carotid artery disease and to keep in check the conditions that increase your risk of developing carotid artery disease. If these measures are not sufficient, surgical intervention may be necessary. One surgery used to treat this condition is carotid endarterectomy, an incisional surgery that allows the doctor access to the artery so that the plaque can be removed. Another procedure that is sometimes used to treat carotid artery disease is carotid artery stenting. This procedure is similar to coronary artery stenting, in that a catheter is fitted with an inflatable balloon, inserted into the body, threaded to the location of the blockage, and inflated to push plaque deposits against the arterial wall. A metal coil known as a stent is left behind, to keep the artery widened.
Carotid Artery Disease Treatment from Experienced Professionals
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