Carotid Artery Disease

What is Carotid Artery Disease?

Overview

Carotid artery disease or carotid artery stenosis is the narrowing of the arteries in the neck caused by cholesterol deposition.

There are two carotid arteries, one on either side of the neck that transport oxygen-rich blood to the brain. Narrowing of these arteries is serious as it is a major cause of stroke.

Who is Affected?

Carotid artery disease can affect both men and women, most often in middle age or later. The risk increases with age, especially over age 60, and is higher in people with cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or a history of smoking. It is also more common in people with a family history of stroke or vascular disease.

Carotid Artery Disease Symptoms & Causes

Symptoms

In its early stages, carotid artery disease often has no symptoms. It may only be detected during a routine physical exam or imaging test.

When symptoms do occur, they may indicate a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke, and can include:

• Sudden weakness, numbness, or tingling on one side of the body
• Trouble speaking or understanding speech
• Sudden loss of vision in one eye (amaurosis fugax)
• Dizziness, loss of balance, or coordination problems
• Severe headache with no known cause

A TIA is a warning sign that a full stroke could happen in the future, and it should always be treated as a medical emergency.

Causes

Many factors can lead to carotid artery disease including genetics, diet, and others. Cholesterol plaques can break off and block blood flow to the brain resulting in oxygen deprivation and causing a stroke. In addition, turbulent blood flow through a narrow artery can activate blood platelets, making them sticky. These sticky platelets can cause blood clots resulting in stroke as well.

Risk factors that lead to carotid artery disease include:

• Age: The arteries become more rigid with age.
• Obesity: Excess weight raises the chances of having high blood pressure and diabetes.
• Lack of exercise: A lack of exercise can worsen risk factors such as obesity, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.
• Family history: Your risk is greater if another family member has carotid artery disease.
• Diabetes: Diabetes lowers your ability to process fats. People with diabetes are four times as likely to have carotid artery disease.
• Smoking: Smoking constricts blood vessels and lowers oxygen flow. It can lead to high cholesterol, increased heart rate, and high blood pressure.
• High blood pressure: Excess pressure on the arteries can cause them to weaken and become more prone to damage.
• High cholesterol: Having a high LDL and low HDL can increase fat in the blood stream.
• Poor diet: Eating foods that are high in fat, salt or sugar can increase your risk of carotid artery disease.

When to See a Doctor

Seek medical attention immediately if you experience:

• Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body
• Trouble speaking or understanding speech
• Sudden vision loss in one or both eyes
• Dizziness, loss of balance, or coordination

These symptoms may signal a TIA or stroke, which requires emergency evaluation and treatment.

Carotid Artery Disease Diagnosis

Several tests can detect carotid artery disease:

Carotid Artery Disease Treatmentrn& Outcomes

Treatment Options

Patient Outcomes

With timely treatment, the risk of stroke can be reduced significantly. Many patients live full, active lives by controlling risk factors, following medical advice, and undergoing procedures when needed. Without treatment, severe carotid narrowing carries a high risk of stroke and long-term disability.

Managing Carotid Artery Disease

Managing carotid artery disease is a lifelong commitment. It includes:

Meet our Expert Specialists & Surgeons

Walavan Sivakumar, MD

Neurosurgery

Samuel Hou, MD, PhD

Neurointerventional Surgery

Adi Iyer, MD, MS

Neurosurgery, Neuro-interventional Surgery

Ashkan Mowla, MD

Neurointerventional Surgery

Sandra Narayanan, MD

Vascular Neurology, Neurointerventional Surgery

Christopher Putman, MD

Neurointerventional Surgery

Jason Tarpley, MD, PhD

Neurointerventional Surgery

Experience Compassionate, Expert Care

At Pacific Neuroscience Institute and our partner Providence hospitals across Southern California, our multidisciplinary team focuses on personalized treatment plans and comprehensive follow-up care to maximize patient outcomes and quality of life after diagnosis or intervention.

Our team offers advanced imaging, minimally invasive treatments, and comprehensive stroke prevention interventions. We combine expert vascular surgery with personalized lifestyle and medical management to help patients lower their risk and improve quality of life.

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