Carotid artery disease

The carotid arteries are the large arteries in the neck that supply blood to the brain. If plaque from atherosclerosis clogs these arteries, doctors call it carotid artery disease (which is a type of peripheral vascular disease).

This can potentially cause decreased blood flow to parts of the brain and can be the cause of a stroke (called a cerebrovascular accident, CVA for short).

Carotid artery disease is one of the additional risk factors for development or present of atherosclerotic coronary heart disease in patents of all ages, including the elderly.

Patients with asymptomatic carotid artery disease have a higher risk of cardiac ischemic event than of a stroke.

Factors that lead to evaluation for carotid artery disease include high-risk patients, suspicious neurological symptoms, and carotid bruits. Seizure, migraine and cardiogenic syncope cam mimic the signs and symptoms of cerebrovascular disease.
Carotid artery disease