An overview of carotid artery disease

The carotid artery disease is a result of plaques or fatty deposits that clog the blood vessels delivering blood to the brain and the head. These arteries are known as carotid arteries. The blockage drastically increases the risk of a stroke, which is a dreaded medical emergency. A stroke occurs only when the blood supply to the brain is seriously cut off or interrupted.

Let us learn more about carotid artery disease.

What are the main symptoms of the carotid artery disease?

The main signs of the carotid artery disease include the following:

• Sudden weakness or numbness may take over the limbs or the face, but generally only one side of the body.
• Another carotid artery disease symptom includes abrupt trouble in speaking or understanding usual words.
• Sometimes, the vision may become blurred.
• Even sudden dizziness may be attributed as one of the signs of carotid artery disease .
• Lastly, severe and sudden headaches may be one of the main symptoms .

What are some of the causes associated with carotid artery disease?

• The main cause of carotid artery disease is the buildup of plaque in the blood vessels.
• Plaques are a gathered result of calcium, cholesterol, other cellular debris, and even fibrous tissue, which gather in the microscopic injury sites in between the arteries. This process is also referred to as atherosclerosis.
• These arteries, which are clogged with plaques, end up being narrow and stiff.

Are there certain people at a higher risk of this disease?

• People who have high blood pressure are at the highest risk of getting carotid artery disease.
• People who are constantly consuming tobacco are also at a much higher risk of the disease.
• Diabetes and high blood fat levels are two other major risk factors associated with getting carotid artery disease.
• Obesity and lack of exercise go together, too. These are two of the main causes behind the disease.
• If an individual’s family has a history of getting this disorder, then genetics is one of the biggest causes of this problem.
• Lastly, age may be one of the risk factors. When people start aging, they become a lot more susceptible to this condition.

How can one prevent carotid artery disease?

• Not smoking can drastically decrease the risk of getting carotid artery disease.
• Maintaining a healthy weight and limiting fat and cholesterol intake is also important for preventing this disease.
• Other habits may include limiting salt and exercising as much as possible. You can maintain a healthy diet by including a lot of vegetables and fruits in your diet. Cease drinking alcohol as well.
• If one is affected with diabetes and blood pressure, then trying to control these conditions may also help in preventing being affected by this health condition.

What are some of the complications associated with carotid artery disease?

Carotid artery disease causes many different complications, which include:

• The blood flow in the body may reduce as the carotid artery may become really narrow. This hampers the proper reach of the blood to the brain.
• Ruptured plaques are another complication associated with the carotid artery disease. As plaques may wear and tear, there is a chance of them flowing off to the smaller or the more compact arteries of the brain. Lastly, the fragment may get blocked in one of these arteries further cutting off the supply of the blood to the brain.
• In some cases, even blood clot blockage may occur as a complication of this disease. Some of the plaques can form and crack irregular surfaces on the wall of the arteries. This may block the blood flow to the brain, and this may result in a stroke.

Therefore, practice the aforementioned prevention measures to avoid this disease. In general, it is better to keep weight in check and maintain a healthy lifestyle.