Like the arteries that supply blood to the heart, the carotid arteries can also develop atheroscerosis in other word “hardening of the Arteries” on the inside of the vessels. Carotid artery disease is caused by a buildup of plaques in neck arteries that deliver blood to your brain. Plaques are clumps of cholesterol, calcium, fibrous tissue and other cellular debris that gather at microscopic injury sites within the artery. This process is called atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of carotid artery disease. This thickening narrows the arteries and can decrease blood flow or completely block the flow of blood to the brain.

Yes, Carotid Artery disease causes about 10 % to 20 % of strokes. A stroke is a medical emergency that can leave you with permanent brain damage and muscle weakness ( paralysis of one or more limbs). In severe cases, a stoke can be fatal. Carotid Artery stenosis can be dangerous if it’s not diagnosed and treated quickly.

In majority cases you may not have any symptoms of carotid artery disease. Plaque builds up in the carotid arteries over time with no warning signs until you have a Transient Ischemic Attack ( TIA) or a stroke.

Signs of a stroke may include:

• Sudden loss of vision, blurred vision, or difficulty in seeing out of one or both eyes
• Weakness, tingling, or numbness on one side of the face, one side of the body, or in one arm or leg
• Sudden difficulty in walking, loss of balance, lack of coordination
• Sudden dizziness and/or confusion
• Difficulty in speech / speaking
• Confusion
• Problems with memory

The risk factors for carotid artery disease are similar to those for other types of heart disease. People having following mentioned abnormalities or problem are at higher risk for carotid artery disease: Higher age, Tobacco consumption,  Smoking, Hypertension (high blood pressure) the most important treatable risk factor for stroke, Abnormal lipid profile or high cholesterol, Insulin resistance, Diabetes, Obesity, Sedentary lifestyle, Family history of atherosclerosis, either coronary artery disease or carotid artery disease.

Making some changes to your diet and exercise habits can help treat and prevent carotid artery disease. These healthy life style changes can also help you maintain a healthy weight and manage high blood pressure and cholesterol.

• Eat a healthy, low-fat diet.
• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Fresh or frozen are better choices than canned, which may have added salt or sugar.
• Choose high-fiber foods, such as whole-grain breads, pastas, cereals, and crackers.
• Eat lean meats ( for non vegetarian people) They can eat fish twice a week.
• Cut back on saturated fat, cholesterol, and added salt and sugar.
• Be more physically active

To effectively treat carotid artery disease, your doctor will recommend the following:

• Lifestyle changes to slow the progression of atherosclerosis
• Medication to control blood pressure or lower cholesterol.

If blockage is severe ( more than 70%) or if you have higher risk of recurrent stroke, your doctor may recommend removing the blockage from the artery and options for the same are as below:

Carotid endarterectomy: The most common surgical treatment for severe carotid artery disease. After making an incision along the front of your neck, the surgeon opens the affected carotid artery and removes the plaques. The artery is repaired with stitches and a synthetic graft patch. 

Carotid Angioplasty and Stenting: This endovascular procedure is recommended if the blockage is too difficult to reach with carotid endarterectomy or you have other health conditions that make surgery too risky. You are given local anesthesia and a tiny balloon is threaded by catheter to the area of the clog. The balloon is inflated to widen the artery, and a small wire mesh coil (stent) is inserted to keep the artery from narrowing again.

For acute stroke, it is best to consult a neuro interventional department. Although traditionally, most strokes are treated by medical management by neurologists, a sudden massive strike can be reversed by reaching to a Neurointervention department and clots can be removed within 4 to 6 hours with good results. 

For diagnosed carotid artery disease, a Vascular & Endovascular Surgeon would be a better choice to decide whether carotid endarterectomy or angioplasty is suitable for your blockage and do the needful.