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Carotid Disease

Vascular Institute of New York Our Services Carotid Disease

Vascular Institute of New York

Board Certified Vascular and Endovascular Surgeons & Wound Care Specialists located in Borough Park, Brooklyn, NY

Carotid disease may be difficult to detect, but it’s important to find and treat it before a stroke threatens your life. At Vascular Institute of New York in the Borough Park area of Brooklyn, New York, the team can diagnose carotid disease without symptoms and reduce the blockage in your artery. To learn more about carotid disease and stroke warning signs, call Vascular Institute of New York or request an appointment online today.

Carotid Disease Q & A

What is carotid disease?

Carotid disease, or carotid artery disease, is one of the most prevalent causes of stroke. It affects your carotid artery, which delivers oxygen-rich blood to your brain. When blood flow through your carotid artery is inhibited, a stroke can occur.

Carotid disease is characterized by the blockage or narrowing of your carotid artery. The artery constricts and becomes narrower as plaque builds up along the walls. Plaque is a sticky white substance composed of fat, cholesterol, and other materials in your blood. 

While the disease develops slowly, a stroke can occur very quickly and seemingly without warning. A stroke occurs when your brain doesn’t have enough oxygen and the cells begin to die. 

What are some common signs and symptoms of carotid disease?

Carotid disease usually doesn’t present any symptoms until a stroke occurs. However, a transient ischemic attack (TIA) can happen shortly before a stroke. If you notice symptoms of TIA, you must seek medical care right away. The signs and symptoms of TIA, which is caused by carotid disease, include:

  • Trouble speaking clearly
  • Trouble with pronunciation
  • Partial vision loss in one eye
  • Numbness or muscle weakness on the right or left side of your body one side of your body
  • Trouble controlling one arm or one leg
  • Dizziness 

It can be hard to identify these symptoms in yourself, especially because they appear suddenly and without warning. If you notice the symptoms in yourself or someone else, be sure to get help from a professional as soon as possible.

How is carotid disease treated?

To start your treatment plan for carotid disease and prevent stroke, the team assesses any symptoms that you’ve displayed and may view your carotid artery with imaging techniques. Often, lifestyle changes are enough to reduce your risk drastically. They may include:

  • Weight loss
  • Quitting smoking
  • Reducing alcohol consumption
  • Exercising more often
  • Improving your diet

If your carotid artery is full of plaque and putting you at risk of a stroke, the team at Vascular Institute of New York may recommend surgery. A carotid endarterectomy is a surgery that the team uses to physically remove plaque from the artery. Another less invasive procedure is called angioplasty and stenting. The goal is to widen the artery to improve the flow of blood.

If you have concerns about carotid disease and stroke, call Vascular Institute of New York or request an appointment online today.

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