Carotid artery blockage can cause heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots. Symptoms include lightheadedness and fainting. Risk factors include family history, smoking, high-fat diet, and diabetes. Cholesterol-lowering drugs can help manage the risk. Surgery may be required in severe cases. Early detection and treatment are crucial.
A carotid artery blockage is when the carotid or neck artery becomes blocked. This condition can cause a heart attack, stroke, or blood clots. Symptoms of a carotid artery blockage include lightheadedness, fainting, and lightheadedness. When the artery in the neck is blocked by plaque buildup, an abnormal sound can sometimes be heard when a stethoscope is held against the artery. However, the presence of this abnormal sound does not confirm the diagnosis of carotid artery blockage.
Not only can plaque buildup cause arterial blockage of the carotid arteries, but it can also cause blockage of other coronary arteries. When this occurs, steps must be taken to restore blood flow. An ultrasound of the carotid arteries can often determine the condition, as can an angiogram, which is a test that uses a guided catheter to detect blocked arteries.
Risk factors for carotid artery blockage include a family history, smoking, high-fat diet, and diabetes. With the exception of family history, most other risk factors can be modified to reduce your risk. For example, managing diabetes through diet, exercise, and medications can reduce your risk, as can smoking cessation and a healthy diet low in saturated fat. Your doctor can recommend treatment options to modify your risk factors and minimize your risk of carotid artery stenosis.
Another major risk factor for arterial blockage is high cholesterol. Cholesterol-lowering drugs, called statins, are very effective at lowering total blood cholesterol levels. In addition to lowering total cholesterol, the spots raise “good cholesterol” levels and lower “bad cholesterol” levels. When cholesterol is managed effectively, the risk of carotid artery blockage decreases.
When symptoms of a carotid artery blockage emerge, it is likely that the disease is extensive and may require surgery to restore blood flow. A surgical procedure that can break up plaque and remove it from the artery is often very successful in clearing the blocked artery. This surgical procedure is not risk free and the operation should be discussed with your doctor to ensure it is an appropriate option.
Sometimes, both arteries in the neck can be blocked. When this is the case, the risk of heart attack or stroke is even higher. Fortunately, treatment is usually very effective at clearing the blockage so that adequate blood flow can resume. As with any other disease, the sooner it is detected and treated, the more likely it is to have a successful outcome.
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