Carotid artery are two large blood vessels located on each side of the neck and they supply blood to the brain, face, neck and scalp. In carotid artery disease, the arteries become narrowed due to a buildup of cholesterol, clot and other waxy materials called plaque that hardens over time inside the carotid artery. This is a serious condition as the plaque buildup in carotid artery cuts off bold supply to the brain resulting in stroke. If blood flow to the brain is cut off for more than a few minutes, the cells in the brain start to die and this impairs the specific parts of the body that the brain cells control. Such a stroke can cause lasting brain damage, long-term disability, paralysis or death.
Symptoms
Carotid artery disease may not cause symptoms until the carotid arteries are severely narrowed or blocked. For some people, a stroke is the first sign of the disease. The symptoms include sudden weakness or numbness in the face, arms, or legs (usually on one side of the body), trouble speaking (garbled speech) or understanding, sudden vision problems in one or both eyes, dizziness, severe headache, numbness or weakness in your limbs and sudden numbness in one side of the face.
Causes
Carotid artery disease is usually caused by atherosclerosis, a condition which results in the narrowing of either one or both of the carotid artery. The narrowing of the carotid artery can be caused due to plaque accumulation, which builds up over time resulting in hardening of the plaque and narrowing of the artery. The plaque is made up of clusters of cholesterol, fat, cellular waste and calcium. Over time this plaque narrows the artery and makes it less flexible resulting in lower amount of blood being supplied to the organs.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of carotid artery disease is initially based on the evaluation of the individual’s medical history, the symptoms that are evident and the physical examination that uses the stethoscope to find any unusual sound of the heart. The diagnostic tests can include carotid ultrasound that determines the presence of plaque narrowing the arteries and carotid angiography that highlight the carotid arteries using special dyes to identify abnormalities. The magnetic resonance angiography can produce images of the carotid arteries and a computed tomography angiography can also produce three dimensional images. The early diagnosis is essential as the affected individual is potentially at the risk of developing stroke.
Treatment
The treatment is based on the degree of the narrowing of the artery that can include medications to reduce the progression of this disease by lowering the blood pressure and cholesterol. Other life-style changes can include healthy eating, managing stress, quitting smoking and maintaining a healthy weight. The medical procedures that involve the opening of the blocked carotid arteries can consist of carotid endarterectomy and carotid artery angioplasty.
