Carotid Artery Disease: Recognizing Stroke Symptoms

What is carotid artery disease

Carotid artery disease happens when fatty deposits fill the blood vessels that carry blood to the head and the brain. As a result of the blockage, the blood flow to the brain is interrupted, increasing the risk of a stroke. A stroke cuts off the oxygen supply to the brain, and the brain cells start dying in a couple of minutes.

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and permanent disability in the US. It is vital that one at risk of carotid artery disease gets regular medical evaluation to prevent fatal consequences. 

Causes

The main cause of carotid artery disease is atherosclerosis. Plaque deposits in the blood vessels getting blood to the head and brain cause these vessels to stiffen and narrow, restricting blood flow. Plaques include fibrous tissue, calcium, cellular debris, and clumps of cholesterol. The clogging of the arteries deprives the brain of crucial nutrients like oxygen, affecting the optimum functioning of brain structures.

Risk factors

Certain factors increase the risk of one developing carotid artery disease. These include;

• Age: As you age, your arteries become less flexible and more prone to injury, making plaque development easier.
• Use of tobacco: Nicotine scars the arteries’ walls, and smoking increases blood pressure and heart rate.
• Obesity: Obesity increases your risk for atherosclerosis, diabetes, and high blood pressure. 
• Sleep apnea: If you have sleep apnea, you have a high risk of stroke since you momentarily stop breathing at night. 
• A sedentary lifestyle: Lack of sufficient exercise contributes to the development of conditions that may damage your arteries, like obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes. 
• High blood-fat levels: If your blood has high levels of triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, it encourages the formation of plaques. 
• Family history: If your family has a history of related diseases like coronary heart disease, or atherosclerosis, you are at a high risk of developing carotid artery disease. 
• Diabetes: Diabetes affects your ability to process fats efficiently, increasing your risk of atherosclerosis and hypertension. 

Symptoms

So how can one know they have carotid artery disease? Unfortunately, the condition does not have signs and symptoms in its early stages. As such, you may not know you have the condition until it progresses to a point where you experience a stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA). You may know you have a TIA or stroke through the following symptoms.

• Sudden problem speaking and understanding what is being said
• Sudden and acute headache with no clear cause
• Sudden loss of balance or dizziness
• Sudden weakness or numbness in the face or limbs, often affecting only one side of your body.
• Sudden eyesight problems in one or both of your eyes.

When to see a doctor

Call 911 immediately for sudden face drooping, one-sided weakness or numbness, trouble speaking or understanding speech, vision changes, loss of balance, or a severe unexplained headache—even if symptoms go away. Note when symptoms started. Do not drive yourself or wait for an office appointment.

If you also have any of the above risk factors, you should regularly visit specialists so that besides evaluating you for any carotid artery disease, you can get the best management practices that lower your risk for developing the disease and stroke. Fortunately, you do not have to go far for expert treatment. 

For non-emergency follow-up after urgent assessment, or to discuss an established diagnosis or risk factors without new symptoms, contact WVS about scheduling. Appointment requests are not a way to obtain emergency care.