Carotid Disease The Carotid Arteries Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to the head and body. There are two carotid arteries (one on each side of the neck) that supply blood to the brain. You can feel your carotid arteries by feeling the pulse on your lower neck, on either side of your windpipe.

What is Carotid Artery Disease?
This occurs when the carotid arteries, the main blood vessels to the brain, develop a buildup of plaque caused by hardening of the arteries. When the buildup becomes very severe, it can cause a stroke. The process is similar to the buildup of plaque in arteries in the heart that causes heart attacks.

Like the blood vessels of the heart (coronary arteries), the carotid arteries also develop atherosclerosis, the build-up of fat and cholesterol deposits, called plaque, on the inside of the arteries. Over time, the build-up narrows the artery, decreases blood flow to the brain and can lead to a stroke. A stroke can occur if the artery becomes extremely narrowed a piece of plaque breaks off and travels to the smaller arteries of the brain a clot forms and blocks a narrowed artery

What is a stroke?
A stroke is similar to a heart attack. A stroke occurs when brain cells (neurons) are deprived of the oxygen and glucose carried to them by blood. Eighty percent of strokes are “ischemic strokes,” where part of the circulation to the brain is cut off, usually due to blockages in the carotid arteries.

How serious is a stroke caused by Carotid Artery Disease?
A stroke can paralyze the arms or legs, affect the ability to speak or eat and even be fatal. Strokes are the third leading cause of death in the U.S. today, and the leading cause of death among older Americans.

How is Carotid Artery Disease diagnosed?
Carotid artery disease cannot be detected in a doctor’s office. But it can be easily and accurately diagnosed using an ultrasound scan that is simple, painless and takes only a few minutes.

When is treatment for carotid artery disease necessary?
Most cases do not require treatment – developing some plaque in the carotid arteries is normal as one ages. But when plaque causes a blockage of 60-70% or more, or causes transient ischemic attacks, or “mini-strokes,” treatment may be required.

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