Carotid Artery Disease refers to a range of conditions which are the outcome of atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries which supply blood to the head. It can cause several complications including stroke and permanent disability. Incidentally, it also acts as an indicator of possible atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries which again has life-threatening consequences. In this article, we will learn more.
Atherosclerosis is a condition in which cholesterol, calcium and certain other substances found in the blood start depositing on the inner walls of the blood vessels. As the deposits grow, they narrow down the aperture available for blood flow or they constrict the blood-flow. This condition is called stenosis. Over time, the deposits harden and the material is now called plaque. Sometimes, the plaque breaks off in places. The body incorrectly treats the breakage as a wound, so clots start developing at the spot. The clots can also break off at times.
The breakaway clots and pieces of plaque can travel through the circulatory system and get lodged in tiny blood-vessels, creating a blockage there. This breaks off oxygen supply to that part of the body served by this blood-vessel. This can lead to various complications. So needless to say, atherosclerosis is a dangerous condition in the long run.
The carotid arteries are a pair of major arteries, that run along the side of the neck. They supply blood to the face, the brain and rest of the head. It goes without saying that they must be in good condition always in order to ensure uninterrupted supply of oxygenated blood to the head. However, atherosclerosis can affect this situation. Plaque deposits on the inner walls of carotid arteries can cause restricted supply of pure blood to the head.
Carotid artery disease does not show any symptoms till such time that a brain stroke occurs. The stroke can be a transient ischemic stroke where the symptoms disappear after some time, or a real stroke. So, when we say symptoms of Carotid artery disease, we are referring to symptoms of a brain stroke and this includes:
According to cardiologists, imaging tests are the simple and effective method of diagnosing Carotid artery blockages, and includes:
When atherosclerosis occurs in the carotid arteries, it leads to carotid artery disease and when it occurs in the coronary arteries of the heart, it leads to coronary artery disease (CAD). Several studies have been done to show that there is a clear link between Carotid Artery Disease and heart health. The chances of people with asymptomatic Carotid Artery Disease (without stroke or other neurological symptoms), suffering a heart attack, are quite high. Some of the possible reasons for this are:
Research is ongoing around the link. That is why, cardiologists insist on regular health checkups as these can unearth evidence of various health risks developing in different parts of the body.
Regular monitoring and proactive management of carotid artery disease are crucial for maintaining overall heart health. If you suspect any symptoms or want to understand your cardiovascular risk better, consult with specialists who can guide you through diagnosis and treatment options. At Kauvery Hospital, with branches in Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli, and Trichy, our dedicated team of cardiologists and vascular specialists is committed to providing comprehensive care to support your heart health journey.
Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai (Alwarpet & Vadapalani), Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and pediatric trauma care.
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