Carotid Artery Disease – Symptoms and Causes

Overview

Carotid artery disease happens when plaque builds up in the arteries that carry blood to your brain. These fatty deposits can narrow the arteries and reduce blood flow. This condition increases stroke risk significantly.

Strokes occur when the brain doesn’t get enough blood and oxygen. Brain cells can die within minutes during a stroke, making it a serious medical emergency. In the United States, strokes rank among the leading causes of death and disability.

Many people don’t realize they have carotid artery disease until they experience a stroke or TIA (transient ischemic attack). A TIA is often called a “mini-stroke” and serves as a warning sign.

Common symptoms of carotid artery disease:

• Sudden weakness in the face or limbs
• Trouble speaking
• Vision problems
• Severe headache
• Dizziness

Treatment typically includes:

• Lifestyle modifications
• Medication therapy
• Surgical procedures (in some cases)

Signs and Symptoms

Carotid artery disease often develops without noticeable symptoms in its early stages. You might not realize you have the condition until it becomes serious enough to reduce blood flow to your brain, causing a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).

Watch for these warning signs of a stroke or TIA:

• Numbness or weakness in the face or limbs (usually on just one side).
• Speech problems – difficulty speaking or understanding others.
• Vision changes – sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• Balance issues – unexpected dizziness or coordination problems.
• Severe headache that comes on suddenly with no clear cause.

When to Get Medical Help

Don’t wait if you notice any stroke symptoms – seek emergency medical attention immediately. Even if these symptoms disappear quickly and you feel better, visit a healthcare provider right away.

You may have experienced a TIA, which significantly increases your stroke risk.

If you have risk factors for carotid artery disease but haven’t noticed symptoms, talk with your doctor. Taking steps to manage these risk factors early can help protect you from having a stroke.

Causes

Carotid artery disease happens when fatty deposits called plaques build up in the arteries that carry blood to your brain. These plaques contain cholesterol, fat, and blood cells that stick to artery walls. This buildup process is known as atherosclerosis.

When these plaques form, they make the carotid arteries narrower. This narrowing:

• Restricts blood flow to the brain
• Limits oxygen delivery
• Reduces nutrients reaching brain cells

The narrowed arteries make it difficult for your brain to get the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function properly.

Risk Factors

Several factors can raise your chance of developing carotid artery disease:

• High blood pressure weakens artery walls, making them more vulnerable to damage.
• Smoking irritates artery linings and increases both heart rate and blood pressure.
• Diabetes reduces the body’s ability to process fats properly.
• High cholesterol and triglycerides contribute to plaque buildup in arteries.
• Family history of atherosclerosis or heart disease increases risk.
• Aging makes arteries less flexible and more prone to injury.

Being overweight increases risk by making high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and diabetes more likely. Sleep apnea, where breathing stops temporarily during sleep, may also raise stroke risk.

A sedentary lifestyle leads to conditions that harm arteries. Without regular exercise, you’re more likely to develop high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity—all risk factors for carotid artery disease.

Complications

Carotid artery disease is a serious health condition that contributes to 10–15% of all strokes. Strokes are urgent medical situations that can lead to brain damage, muscle weakness, and, in some cases, death.

There are three main ways carotid artery disease can cause a stroke:

1. Blood Flow Reduction: When arteries narrow significantly due to atherosclerosis, parts of the brain may not receive enough blood.

2. Plaque Fragments: Pieces of plaque can break away and travel through the bloodstream. These fragments may become lodged in smaller brain arteries, blocking blood flow to that area.

3. Clot Formation: Damaged plaques often develop rough, irregular surfaces. The body responds to these irregularities as it would to an injury by sending clotting cells to the area. This response can create large clots that block or slow blood flow to the brain.

When blood flow to the brain is interrupted for more than a few minutes, brain cells begin to die from lack of oxygen, resulting in a stroke.

Ways to Prevent Artery Problems

Stopping smoking is a key step in prevention. People who quit smoking see their stroke risk drop to that of non-smokers within a few years.

Keeping a healthy weight matters too. Extra pounds increase risks like high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and sleep breathing problems.

Eat well by focusing on:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Whole grains, fish, nuts, and beans
• Limited fats and cholesterol, especially bad fats

Watch your salt intake. Healthy adults should aim for less than 1,500 mg of salt daily to help control blood pressure.

Regular exercise brings many benefits:

• Lowers blood pressure
• Raises good cholesterol levels
• Improves blood vessel and heart health
• Helps with weight control
• Manages diabetes
• Reduces stress

Be careful with alcohol. Women should have no more than one drink daily, while men should limit to two drinks per day.

Managing health conditions is essential. Keeping diabetes and high blood pressure under control helps protect your arteries from damage.