Carotid artery disease

ARTICLE SECTIONS

Introduction Signs and symptoms Causes Risk factors When to seek medical advice

Screening and diagnosis Complications Treatment Self-care

Introduction

You've probably heard of coronary artery disease, a condition in which the arteries leading to your heart become clogged with fatty deposits called plaques.

The same buildup of plaques can develop in your carotid arteries, a pair of blood vessels that deliver blood to your brain and head. With carotid artery disease, the danger is that clogged-up carotid arteries will block blood flow to your brain and lead to a stroke. Because carotid artery disease develops slowly and often goes unnoticed, a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) — an early warning sign of a future stroke — may be the first outward clue that you have carotid artery disease.

Treatment of carotid artery disease usually involves a combination of lifestyle changes, medications and, in some cases, surgery or a stenting procedure.

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Signs and symptoms