Can you feel carotid artery disease

If you really do need it, your health plan may pay. Your plan is more likely to pay if:. This report is for you to use when talking with your health-care provider. It is not a substitute for medical advice and treatment. Use of this report is at your own risk. See, Play and Learn Images. Research Clinical Trials Journal Articles. Resources Find an Expert. For You Patient Handouts. Imaging tests can confirm whether you have carotid artery disease. Treatments may include Healthy lifestyle changes Medicines Carotid endarterectomy, surgery to remove the plaque Angioplasty , a procedure to place a balloon and stent into the artery to open it and hold it open NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Start Here. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Surgical treatment decreases the risk for stroke after symptoms such as TIA or minor stroke. Carotid endarterectomy CEA. This is surgery to remove plaque and blood clots from the carotid arteries. Carotid artery angioplasty with stenting CAS.

This is an option for people who are unable to have carotid endarterectomy. It uses a very small hollow tube, or catheter, that is thread through a blood vessel in the groin to the carotid arteries. Once the catheter is in place, a balloon is inflated to open the artery and a stent is placed. A stent is a thin, metal-mesh framework used to hold the artery open. The main complication of carotid artery disease is stroke. Stroke can cause serious disability and may be fatal.

You can prevent or delay carotid artery disease in the same way that you would prevent heart disease. This includes:. Diet changes. Eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats such as poultry and fish, and low-fat or non-fat dairy products, Limit your intake of salt, sugar, processed foods, saturated fats, and alcohol.

Aim for 40 minutes of moderate to vigorous-level physical activity at least 3 to 4 days per week. If you smoke, break the habit. Enroll in a stop-smoking program to improve your chances of success. Ask your doctor about prescription options.

Learn the symptoms of stroke and have your family members also learn them. If you think you are having symptoms of a stroke, call immediately. Carotid artery disease is narrowing of the carotid arteries. These arteries deliver oxygenated blood from the heart to the brain. Narrowing of the carotid arteries can cause a stroke or symptoms of a stroke and should be treated right away. Eating a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet that is high in vegetables, lean meats, fruits, and high fiber is one way to reduce the risk of carotid disease.

Exercise, quitting smoking, blood pressure control, and medicine can also help. Opening the carotid arteries once they are narrowed can be done with a surgery or with angioplasty and a stent.

Carotid artery disease may not have symptoms, but if you have significant risk factors, see your healthcare provider for screening and diagnosis. Health Home Conditions and Diseases. What causes carotid artery disease? Who is at risk for carotid artery disease? Risk factors associated with atherosclerosis include: Older age Male Family history Race Genetic factors High cholesterol High blood pressure Smoking Diabetes Overweight Diet high in saturated fat Lack of exercise Although these factors increase a person's risk, they do not always cause the disease.

What are the symptoms of carotid artery disease? Symptoms of a TIA or stroke may include: Sudden weakness or clumsiness of an arm or leg on one side of the body Sudden paralysis of an arm or leg on one side of the body Loss of coordination or movement Confusion, decreased ability to concentrate, dizziness, fainting, or headache Numbness or loss of feeling in the face or in an arm or leg Temporary loss of vision or blurred vision Inability to speak clearly or slurred speech If you or a loved one has any of these symptoms, call for medical help right away.

This may include problems with: Moving Speaking Thinking Remembering Bowel and bladder function Eating Emotional control Other vital body functions Recovery also depends on the size and location of the stroke. Your doctor may then order several tests to diagnose your condition and the severity of the condition. Carotid artery disease treatment may include modification of risk factors or medications. Surgical treatment of carotid artery disease includes a carotid endarterectomy or carotid artery angioplasty with stenting.

Risks of Carotid Artery Disease older age male family history race or ethnicity genetic factors hyperlipidemia elevated fats in the blood hypertension high blood pressure smoking diabetes obesity diet high in saturated fat lack of exercise Risks of carotid artery disease include anything that may increase a person's chance of developing a disease. Symptoms of Carotid Artery Disease Carotid artery disease may be asymptomatic without symptoms or symptomatic with symptoms.

Carotid Artery Disease Treatment Carotid artery disease treatment may include modification of risk factors or medications.