Carotid Artery Disease

Stenosis, or stiffening, of the carotid arteries occurs when fatty deposits, or plaques, adhere to the walls of the arteries that supply blood to the brain. This causes narrowing and decreased perfusion to the brain, which can potentially lead to a stroke. Strokes are the leading cause of permanent disability in the U.S. Our surgeons can monitor and, if necessary, perform surgery to remove the plaque

Risk Factors

• Smoking
  
•  High cholesterol
  
• Hypertension
  
• Diabetes
  

Symptoms

• Many patients with carotid disease have no symptoms
  
• Weakness, numbness and slurred speech can be signs of a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), often referred to as mini-strokes
  

Diagnosis

• Carotid duplex ultrasound: An ultrasound that measures the velocity of blood flow in the carotid arteries. Increased velocities suggest narrowing
• CTA: If carotid stenosis progresses to the point of potential surgical intervention, a CT-Angiography scan can help your surgeon determine and plan for surger

Treatment

• For mild to moderate disease, aspirin and statin cholesterol medications are used to decrease the progression of your plaque.
• For patients who are current smokers, smoking cessation
• Surgical removal of plaque if plaque is large enough
  

Learn more

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
Varicose and Spider Veins
Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT)
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
Peripheral Aneurysmal Disease
Carotid Artery Disease
Dialysis Access
Wound Care
Vascular Lab
Giant Cell Arteritis
Lymphedema
Mesenteric Ischemia