Carotid artery disease in the neck and brain is like coronary artery disease in the heart. It occurs when plaque builds up in the carotid arteries, which supply oxygen-rich blood to the brain. If the arteries get blocked and the brain does not get enough oxygen, a stroke may occur. A stroke, or “brain attack,” is like a heart attack in the brain, and can cause death or permanent disability. It is the third largest killer in the United States.
Blood is delivered from the heart to the brain through four arteries: two carotid arteries in the front of your neck, and two smaller vertebral arteries in the back. You can feel the carotid arteries by pressing gently on either side of your windpipe. When you feel your pulse, those are the carotid arteries.
Atherosclerosis occurs when fat and cholesterol deposits (“plaque”) build up in your arteries. Plaque slows the flow of blood to the brain (or, in the case of coronary artery disease, the heart). There are three ways this can lead to a stroke:
the plaque can severely narrow the arteries
a blood clot can become wedged in the artery
plaque from the carotid arteries can break off and block a smaller artery If the brain is denied oxygen for more than three hours, the damage can be permanent.
Risk Factors
If you have carotid artery disease, you probably have coronary artery disease as well. Both have similar risk factors:
high blood pressure
diabetes mellitus
high levels of “bad cholesterol”
smoking
family history of coronary or carotid artery disease
obesity
lack of exercise (sedentary lifestyle)
