Overview

What is Carotid artery disease?

Carotid artery stenosis is a significant blockage on one or both sides of your neck. The blockade is composed of substances known as plaque, which consists of fatty cholesterol. When it blocks normal flow through your carotid artery, you are exposed to the possibility of stroke. Atherosclerosis refers to a collection of plaque.

You have two carotid arteries—one on the left and the other on the right side of your neck. Large arteries bring blood to your brain, face, and head. When healthy, these arteries are like a clean pipe, letting fluid flow freely without anything hindering the flow. Your body's circulatory system is simply several tubes through which blood, carrying nutrients and oxygen, is disseminated throughout every part of the body.

You can develop carotid artery stenosis in one of the two arteries in your neck or both of them. This condition may worsen over time if you do not visit a doctor, leading to a stroke with serious complications that can include death.

What are the symptoms of carotid artery disease?

Sometimes there are no symptoms in the early stages of carotid artery disease. It's possible that the illness won't show symptoms until it gets bad enough to cause the brain to lose adequate blood flow, which can lead to a TIA or stroke.

A stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) can cause sudden paralysis or numbness in the face or limbs, usually on one side of the body.

Needs help understanding or speaking.

Abrupt blindness in one or both eyes.

Abrupt lightheadedness or unsteadiness.

It's a terrible headache that appears out of the blue.

What causes of carotid artery disease?

Carotid artery disease is caused by an accumulation of plaques, or fatty deposits, in the arteries that supply blood to the brain. Plaques are clumps of fat, cholesterol, and blood cells that form in the arteries. Atherosclerosis is the term for this process.

Plaque blockage narrows the carotid arteries, making it difficult for the brain to receive oxygen and nutrients.

What is the diagnosis and test for carotid artery disease?

A medical history and physical examination typically precede a diagnosis. During an examination, a bruit, or swooshing sound, is typically heard over the carotid artery in the neck. The sound comes from a constricted artery. The next step may be a test of mental and physical skills like speech, memory, and strength.

These could consist of:

• Ultrasonic- The carotid arteries' blood flow and pressure are examined here.
• MRI or CT scans- These may indicate a history of stroke or other problems.
• Either MR or CT angiography provides more details regarding carotid artery blood flow. These scans produce images of the brain and neck by injecting contrast dye into a blood artery. Certain parts of the photos shine out because of the dye.

How is carotid artery stenosis treated?

The primary objective of the medical management for carotid artery stenosis is disease stabilization. This can be accomplished through lifestyle modifications like diet, exercise, and smoking cessation. The medications administered include aspirin in a baby dose daily, antihypertensive agents, and lipid-lowering agents.

In severe cases and or cases that give symptoms of TIA or stroke, your doctor will undertake a procedure called carotid endarterectomy. It is the surgical removal of plaque from the carotid artery through an incision. Alternatively, your surgeon may insert a stent through a large needle puncture and eventually through the blocked artery. This will ensure the enlargement of the artery to a regular size while keeping the plaque away from the flow of blood between the stent and the wall. A vascular surgeon or specialist decides which of these procedures is best for each person who requires treatment for carotid disease.

Not all carotid stenosis requires surgical or interventional therapy because these interventions themselves carry risk. Surgeons only advocate procedures to individuals when the risks of severe stenosis and/or stroke are greater than the risk of the procedure itself.

What is the result of carotid endarterectomy or stenting?

Carotid artery stenosis is dangerous since it might go unnoticed if not diagnosed and treated early. It may cause a stroke, leading to death or disability. Therefore, patients should recognize the symptoms of a stroke and act immediately if they or someone else is experiencing them. Carotid artery stenosis can be a life-saver if treated early, particularly with surgical intervention and stenting, which are very effective when required. Most of them recover rapidly within an overnight hospital stay.

Why Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for Carotid Artery Disease?

Tender Palm Hospital has the most experienced team of Cardiologists, Cardiac Surgeons, and diagnostics with the latest and International standard infection control measures in Lucknow, India. The Cardiac Science Centre team has decades of experience in successfully treating Carotid Artery Disease.

To seek an expert consultation for Carotid Artery Disease in Lucknow, India

Call us at +91-9076972161
Email at care@tenderpalm.com

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