Carotid Artery Blockage
The carotid arteries are a pair of blood vessels located in the neck that deliver blood to the brain and head. Carotid artery disease is caused by the buildup of waxy deposits called plaque on the artery walls. Over time, this plaque can block the blood supply to the brain.
Eventually, this condition can lead to a stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), also known as a mini-stroke. A Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) or mini-stroke occurs when a blood clot temporarily blocks an artery supplying blood to the brain. Carotid artery disease accounts for 20% – 30% of all stroke cases.
Causes / Risk Factors
Here are the factors that cause carotid artery blockage:
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Smoking, lack of exercise, and an unhealthy diet
- Family history of the disease
Symptoms
Plaque buildup can be unnoticed, and this is what leads to a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) or mini-stroke. If you experience a TIA, the chances of having a stroke increase tenfold.
TIA symptoms are temporary (lasting from a few minutes to a few hours) and include the following:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty speaking
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness on one side of the face or body, or in one arm or leg
- Sudden dizziness or confusion
- Sudden loss of coordination, balance, and difficulty walking
- Sudden loss of vision, or blurred vision
- A sudden severe headache
If these symptoms occur, it is crucial to seek emergency help immediately to receive therapy and prevent a stroke.
Treatment
Doctors will evaluate the condition and discuss with the patient the appropriate therapy options. This can include a combination of:
- Lifestyle changes (limiting alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy diet, quitting smoking, and regular exercise)
- Medications to reduce the risk of stroke and other heart disease complications, as well as medications to thin blood clots
- Surgery to open artery blockages and prevent future strokes
Complications and Related Diseases
Stroke is the most common complication of carotid artery disease, which can lead to:
- Muscle weakness and paralysis
- Permanent brain damage
- Death
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