CAROTID ARTERY DISEASE

CAROTID ARTERY DISEASE

Stroke Prevention & Treatment Options

Patient Information Leaflet

What are the carotid arteries?

The carotid arteries are the two main blood vessels in your neck that supply blood to your brain. If these arteries become narrowed or blocked, blood flow to the brain is reduced and this increases the risk of stroke.

What is carotid artery disease?

Carotid artery disease occurs when fatty deposits (plaque) build up inside the carotid arteries. This causes narrowing (stenosis) and can reduce blood flow to the brain.

This can lead to:

• Stroke
• Transient ischemic attack (TIA or mini-stroke)
• Brain damage
• Permanent disability

Some patients have no symptoms until a stroke occurs.

What is a stroke?

A stroke happens when blood flow to part of the brain stops. This can cause permanent brain injury.

Stroke warning signs – ACT FAST

Call for emergency help immediately if you notice:

B – Balance problems
E – Eye or vision problems
F – Face drooping
A – Arm weakness
S – Speech difficulty
T – Time to call emergency services immediately

Symptoms usually start suddenly.

What is a TIA (Mini-Stroke)?

A TIA is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain.
Symptoms are the same as a stroke but resolve within minutes or hours.

Important:

• A TIA is a warning sign
• Stroke risk is highest in the first few days
• Urgent assessment is required

Never ignore symptoms even if they improve.

How is carotid artery disease diagnosed?

Your doctor may request:

• Carotid ultrasound
• CT angiogram
• MR angiogram
• Cerebral angiogram

These tests determine how narrow the artery is and your risk of stroke.

Treatment options

Treatment depends on:

• Whether you had a stroke or TIA
• How severe the narrowing is
• Your age and medical conditions
• Your overall stroke risk

Treatment options include:

• Medical treatment
• Carotid endarterectomy (surgery)
• Carotid artery stenting

Medical treatment

All patients usually require:

• Blood pressure control
• Cholesterol medication (statin)
• Blood thinners (aspirin or similar medication)
• Diabetes control
• Smoking cessation
• Exercise and healthy diet

These treatments reduce the risk of stroke.

Carotid Endarterectomy (Surgery)

This is an operation to remove plaque from the carotid artery.

Procedure

• Small incision in the neck
• Artery opened
• Plaque removed
• Artery repaired
• Blood flow restored

Hospital stay is usually 1–4 days.

Risks

• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Bleeding
• Nerve injury
• Infection
• Re-narrowing of the artery

Carotid Artery Stenting

This is a minimally invasive procedure to open the artery using a stent.

Procedure

• Small puncture in groin or arm
• Catheter passed to carotid artery
• Balloon opens narrowing
• Stent placed to keep artery open

Hospital stay is usually 1–2 days.

Risks

• Stroke
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Blood clots
• Kidney problems (contrast dye)
• Re-narrowing of artery
• Heart attack

Which treatment is best?

This depends on:

• Symptoms
• Degree of narrowing
• Age
• Medical conditions
• Anatomy of the artery

Your doctor will discuss the safest and most effective option for you.

When to seek emergency help

Call emergency services immediately if you develop:

• Face drooping
• Arm weakness
• Speech problems
• Sudden vision loss
• Sudden dizziness
• Severe headache
• Sudden confusion

Do not wait. Early treatment saves brain function.

Goals of treatment

• Prevent stroke
• Improve blood flow to the brain
• Reduce future stroke risk
• Protect brain function