What is carotid artery disease?
Carotid artery disease is a condition that can increase a person’s risk of having a stroke. The condition does not usually cause symptoms. It happens when fatty deposits called plaque build-up inside 2 blood vessels called the “carotid arteries.” These are the main blood vessels that bring blood to the brain. When plaque forms in these arteries, the arteries can become narrow.
What are the symptoms of carotid artery disease?
Carotid artery disease can cause strokes and TIAs (described below), though it does not always cause symptoms. Carotid artery disease can lead to strokes, because blood clots can form inside the narrowed artery. Then the clots and other material from the fatty plaque can travel to the brain and clog smaller arteries. Some people recover from strokes without lasting effects or with only minor problems. But many people have serious problems after a stroke. After a stroke, some people are:
- Unable to speak or understand speech
- Paralyzed on one half of their body
- Unable to dress, feed, or take care of themselves
TIAs – TIA stands for “transient ischemic attack.” TIAs are basically strokes that last only a short time. But they do not cause brain damage. TIAs happen when a blood vessel in the brain gets clogged briefly and then reopens. People who have TIAs can have the symptoms of a stroke, but the symptoms go away in a short time. People who have TIAs are at very high risk of having a full-blown stroke.
Is there a test for carotid artery disease?
Yes. surgeons can listen to each carotid artery with a stethoscope. They do this to check for a swishing sound that occurs when the artery is partly blocked. But to be sure, surgeons can also use one of the following tests, which create pictures of the arteries:
- Carotid duplex ultrasound – This test uses an ultrasound probe to create pictures.
- Computed tomography angiography (CTA) – This test uses a special kind of X-ray called a CT scan. Before having the scan, people get an injection of a chemical that makes the arteries show up more clearly.