Your carotid arteries are the two main arteries that carry blood to the brain. If fatty deposits and plaque buildup stiffen and narrow these arteries, this is carotid artery disease. The buildup in your arteries promotes the formation of blood clots and puts you at a higher risk of stroke. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States; those who survive a stroke often suffer permanent damage and disabilities.
Want to prevent carotid artery disease? Start with a healthy lifestyle — regular exercise, a balanced diet, and normal levels of blood pressure and cholesterol. If you are a smoker, quit. If you’re under a lot of stress, you need to try and reduce it. None of this is as easy as it sounds; making a commitment to a healthy lifestyle means making a lot of changes to what you eat and what you do. But in the long run, making a commitment to a healthy lifestyle means you will live longer and enjoy your years in health and happiness.
Carotid artery disease may cause symptoms like:
- Weakness on one side of the face or body
- Numbness on one side of the face or body
- Slurred speech
- Loss of vision in one or both eyes
- Loss of coordination
- Loss of consciousness
If these symptoms disappear within twenty-four hours, this is called a transient ischemic attack, or a mini-stroke. Mini-strokes don’t usually cause lasting damage but must not be ignored. One in three people who suffer a mini-stroke end up with a serious stroke, often within one year.
You may have no symptoms of carotid artery disease before a deadly stroke. During your next exam, ask your doctor to listen to your carotid arteries. If your doctor hears a whooshing sound as your blood moves through the arteries, you may have build up or a blockage. An ultrasound can confirm the presence of carotid artery disease.
For less than a fifty percent blockage, your doctor may prescribe anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs. If you have already suffered a stroke or mini-stroke, or have more than sixty percent blockage, your doctor may suggest surgery.