Carotid Artery Disease (CAD) occurs when neck arteries supplying the brain harden and become clogged with plaque deposits, leading to atherosclerosis. CAD is a common cause of Ischemic strokes.
Patients with CAD usually display no symptoms and are diagnosed only after a stroke or a transient ischemic stroke (“ministroke”). Common symptoms of a stroke include:
- Trouble speaking, understanding what others are saying
- Confusion, slurred speech
- Paralysis or numbness on one side of the body (in the face, arms or legs), resulting in difficulty raising both arms or drooping of one side of the face
- Hand tremors
- Sudden dizziness, loss of balance, coordination
- Trouble seeing out of one or both eyes or sudden sensitivity to light
- Sudden, severe headaches
- Nausea and vomiting, difficulty swallowing
- Loss of consciousness
- Age: Atherosclerosis can progress into CAD, and stroke, as a person ages
- Positive family history of stroke or atherosclerosis
- Previous history of stroke
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Obesity or physical inactivity
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Ultrasound
- Head CT scan
- MRI scan
- MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiography)
- Cerebral Angiogram or Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA)
In treating atherosclerosis, there are several preventative measures patients can take to prevent or delay CAD. If these lifestyle modifications are insufficient, our specialists may recommend medications or minimally invasive surgery.
Angioplasty and Stenting: These are minimally invasive technique procedures which restore blood flow by widening arteries using a balloon and stent.
Open Surgery (Endarterectomy): We also offer traditional treatment involving the removal of plaque or blockage in the artery through an incision in the neck to restore blood flow.
