Arteries are the blood vessels that deliver oxygen rich blood throughout your body. The carotid arteries are located in your neck and carry blood to the brain. Carotid arteries can narrow over time with cholesterol plaque (atherosclerosis), reducing the flow of blood to the brain. Blood clots can form at these narrowings. When these clots break loose, they go to the brain and can cause a stroke (permanent damage to the brain from disruption of blood flow). An early sign of carotid artery narrowing is a mini-stroke or TIA (transient ischemic attack). This is a completely reversible event from a small blood clot to the brain. Symptoms of stroke or mini-stroke include weakness in the arms or legs, numbness or tingling, and difficulties with speech or vision. Remember, a stroke is usually permanent and a TIA is temporary, lasting a few minutes to a few hours.
The diagnosis of carotid artery disease is made by history, physical exam, and special diagnostic tests ordered by your physician. This will include carotid ultrasound and carotid angiogram.
We worry about carotid disease for one main reason; Stroke prevention! It has been clearly shown in most cases of severe carotid disease, that surgical treatment prevents strokes more often than medical treatment. Carotid endarterectomy is the surgical procedure that cleans out the plaque (blockage) and restores normal blood flow to the brain. This procedure requires a 1-3 day hospital stay. An incision will be made below your jaw and the plaque is removed from the wall of the artery. A shunt is used during the operation to reroute the blood to the brain. The artery is then stitched closed sometimes with the help of a small patch.
In most situations, carotid endarterectomy will reduce your risk of stroke. Risks of the procedure are rare but include; bleeding, infection, anesthesia, stroke, heart attack, and death. After surgery, YOU can reduce your risk of further problems by taking your medications (including aspirin) and eating a low fat, low sodium diet. Don’t forget, the most important thing that you can do is to STOP SMOKING!!!!!!
Remember to tell your doctor if you are taking Aspirin or a blood thinner such as Coumadin.