Carotid Artery Disease Specialist

What is carotid artery disease?

Carotid artery disease causes a narrowing and eventual blockage of the carotid arteries in your neck. These large arteries deliver blood from your heart to your head, supplying your brain with oxygen. If blood can't get to your brain, the result could be a potentially life-threatening stroke.

Carotid artery disease develops for the same reason as other vascular diseases like atherosclerosis and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) — plaque inside your blood vessels.

Plaque is a sticky substance composed of cholesterol and various waste products circulating in your blood. It gathers on the walls of your carotid arteries, building up over time and gradually restricting the flow of blood to your brain.

How is carotid artery disease diagnosed?

At your consultation, the vascular team conducts a thorough physical examination, discusses any symptoms, and looks over your medical history. They also listen for a distinctive noise in your carotid arteries called bruit, a swooshing sound that signifies restricted blood flow.

Other diagnostic tests that you might need include:

• Vascular ultrasound
• Computed tomography (CT) scan
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
• CT angiography
• MR angiography

Using the results of these tests, the team can assess how well blood is flowing along your carotid arteries and measure the arterial blood pressure. They can also see whether your brain is experiencing oxygen shortages.

How is carotid artery disease treated?

The buildup of plaque in your carotid arteries is most likely the result of unhealthy behaviors like eating a diet high in cholesterol. Making changes to your lifestyle is the foundation of your carotid artery disease treatment. Changes you might need to make include:

• Losing weight
• Eating a healthier diet
• Reducing salt intake
• Exercising regularly
• Quitting smoking

You might also need to undergo a procedure to increase blood flow through the arteries. There are two possible approaches the vascular team can use:

Carotid angioplasty and stenting

Angioplasty is a catheterization procedure, which means your provider inserts a flexible tube called a catheter into the artery through a tiny incision. The catheter has a balloon on the end that he inflates when it reaches the narrowed section of the artery.

The balloon presses against the plaque, flattening it and making more room for blood to flow. To keep the artery open, they can insert a piece of mesh tubing called a stent into the artery.

Carotid endarterectomy

Endarterectomy is a procedure where your provider accesses the affected artery directly and scrapes the plaque out to enable blood to flow again.

You can avoid the risk of stroke by having a carotid artery screening test at Hager Advanced Vein Care. Call the office to learn more or book an appointment online.