Carotid Artery Disease Summary Your carotid arteries are two large blood vessels in your neck. They supply your brain with blood. If you have carotid artery disease, the arteries become narrow, usually because of atherosclerosis. This is the buildup of cholesterol and other material in an artery. If a blood clot sticks in the narrowed arteries, blood can’t reach your brain. This is one of the causes of stroke. Carotid artery disease often does not cause symptoms, but there are tests that can tell your doctor if you have it. If the arteries are very narrow, you may need an operation called an endarterectomy to remove the plaque. For less severe narrowing, a medicine to prevent blood clots can reduce your risk of stroke. Another option for people who can’t have surgery is carotid angioplasty. This involves placing balloons and/or stents into the artery to open it and hold it open. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Find an Expert American Stroke Association American Stroke Association National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Array Angioplasty and stent placement – carotid artery Carotid artery disease Carotid artery stenosis — self-care Carotid artery surgery Carotid artery surgery – discharge Carotid artery surgery – slideshow Carotid duplex Encyclopedia Angioplasty and stent placement – carotid artery – discharge Treatments and Therapies Carotid Angioplasty and Stenting Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Carotid Endarterectomy National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute How Is Carotid Artery Disease Treated? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Questions and Answers about Carotid Endarterectomy National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Start Here Carotid Artery Disease Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Carotid Artery Disease Vascular Disease Foundation Carotid Artery Disease Texas Heart Institute Carotid Artery Disease National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Diagnosis and Tests Carotid Artery Screening Array Carotid Ultrasound National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute CT Angiography (CTA) Array Doppler Ultrasound: What Is It Used for? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research How Is Carotid Artery Disease Diagnosed? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute MR Angiography (MRA) Array Screening for Carotid Artery Stenosis U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Carotid Artery Diseases National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Carotid Stenosis National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Endarterectomy, Carotid National Institutes of Health NIH MedlinePlus Magazine Coronary Artery Disease: Diagnosis & Treatment Signs and Symptoms of Artery Disease Prevention and Risk Factors How Can Carotid Artery Disease Be Prevented? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Videos and Tutorials Innovations in Stroke Prevention: An Update on Carotid Stenting OR-Live Living With Living with Carotid Artery Disease National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Journal Articles Carotid Artery Disease Symptoms What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Carotid Artery Disease? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Related Issues Who Is at Risk for Carotid Artery Disease? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
