Introduction
The carotid arteries are two vast and robust blood vessels of the heart that constantly supply pure blood or oxygenated blood to the brain, where critical thinking, speech, and sensory and motor functions perform. We can all feel the pulse in the carotid arteries on the sides of our neck below the jaw. Carotid artery disease is also called carotid artery stenosis. This cardiovascular condition refers to the narrowing of the heart arteries, specifically the carotid arteries. This narrow insufficiency is generally caused due to the accumulation and build-up of cholesterol and fat deposits, together called plaque.
Carotid artery disease has the potential to ultimately result in blockage of the arteries of the heart. When the carotid arteries are blocked, we develop a greater risk for stroke. In addition, the coronary arteries or the carotid arteries can undergo atherosclerosis or the process of hardening of the inner walls of arteries. Narrowing the blood vessels can also decrease blood flow to the brain and result in a stroke. A stroke is sometimes referred to as a brain attack and is somewhat parallel to a heart attack. A stroke occurs when blood flow is cut off from the brain for three hours to six hours. It generally leads to the damage being permanent. Strokes can result from different underlying conditions, such as sudden bleeding in the brain or intracerebral hemorrhage.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Carotid Artery Disease?
An individual may not show any signs of carotid artery disease because the build-up of plaque is a long-term process and does not present itself clinically. Thus carotid artery disease does not have any warning signs. When the individual performs activities that need physical exertion and energy, slight symptoms such as getting tired quickly, difficulty breathing, and so on are experienced. In such cases, the individual is advised to go for a routine check-up to ward off carotid artery disease. Below are some of the clinical signs and symptoms of carotid artery disease.
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Blurred vision.
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Weakness.
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Tingling sensation in the body.
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Sudden loss of vision.
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Confusion.
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Difficulty in speech.
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Severe attacks of headache.
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Difficulty in swallowing.
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Numbness.
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Weakness of the limbs.
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Weakness of facial muscles.
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Difficulty in understanding speech.
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Loss of balance.
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Drooping one side of the face.
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Trouble with information of sentences.
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Paralysis of one side of the body.
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Bruit or whistling sound of the heart.
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Garbled speech.
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Palpitations.
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Slight pain in the neck or face.
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Tenderness in the ear, jaw, or forehead.
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Losing muscle strength over time.
What Are the Causes of Carotid Artery Disease?
Carotid artery disease directly results from plaque accumulation within the arteries that are responsible for the smooth flow of oxygenated blood and other vital nutrients to the brain. Plaques are clusters of fat and cholesterol and calcium, cellular debris, and fibrous tissues. These assemble and form a miniature injury within the artery, and this site becomes the playground for atherosclerosis. In addition, carotid arteries jammed with plaques are stiff in texture and are not very wide. Thus, they have a tough time delivering oxygenated blood and nutrients to the brain structures necessary for day-to-day functioning and the heart. Factors that lead to the development of carotid artery disease are the following.
Causes of Carotid Artery Diseases
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High blood pressure can weaken the walls of the arteries, making them susceptible to damage.
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Tobacco and related products have nicotine in them, which irritates the inner tissues of arteries.
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The presence of diabetes mellitus reduces the ability of the body to break down fats. This may add to the risk of developing atherosclerosis.
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Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides act as stimulants for plaque formation in the arteries.
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Family history of carotid artery disease or any other cardiovascular disorder.
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Old age is a factor that contributes to causing carotid artery disease because the blood vessels lose their flexibility.
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A lifestyle that has none to little physical activity.
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Lack of exercise and movement throughout the day.
How to Diagnose Carotid Artery Disease?
In most cases, carotid artery disease is diagnosed only after the patient suffers from a stroke or presents a couple of signs and symptoms of the condition. Then, multiple tests help in confirming the presence of carotid artery disease.
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Duplex ultrasound.
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Computed tomography angiography.
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Cerebral angiography.
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Magnetic resonance angiography.
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Chest X-ray.
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Infrared thermography.
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Digital subtraction angiography.
What Are the Risk Factors of Carotid Artery Disease?
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Arterial walls that are under excessive pressure may become weaker and more vulnerable to injury.
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The artery's inner lining may get irritated by nicotine. Additionally, smoking raises blood pressure and heart rate.
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Diabetes can develop the risk of increased blood pressure and atherosclerosis by decreasing the body's capacity to metabolize lipids.
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High blood fat levels called triglycerides and increased levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDP) cholesterol results in the production of plaque.
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If another person has coronary artery disease or atherosclerosis, the chance of developing carotid artery disease increases.
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In old age, our arteries become less pliable and are more susceptible to injury.
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Obesity raises the risk of diabetes, atherosclerosis, and elevated blood pressure.
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Breathing cessations during the night may raise the risk of stroke.
What Are the Complications of Carotid Artery Disease?
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Atherosclerosis can constrict the carotid artery to the point where insufficient blood flows to certain areas of the brain, which is one way that carotid artery disease can result in stroke.
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It is possible for a fragment of a plaque to separate off and enter the brain's smaller arteries. One of these smaller arteries may become blocked by the plaque fragment. A portion of the brain's blood flow is cut off by this blockage. Certain plaques have a tendency to split and develop uneven surfaces on the arterial wall.
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The body responds to damage in the same way. It delivers blood cells to the region to aid in the clotting process. A big clot that obstructs or restricts blood flow to the brain as a result may develop, which could lead to a stroke.
How to Prevent Carotid Artery Disease?
Certain actions can either prevent or slow the progression of carotid artery disease: The risk of stroke for a former smoker equals that of a nonsmoker after a few years of stopping. Other risk factors like increased blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and sleep apnea are all increased by being overweight. Exercise has several health benefits, including lowering blood pressure, raising "good" cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL), and strengthening heart and blood vessel health. It also aids in stress reduction, diabetic control, and weight loss. Arteries can be protected by controlling illnesses like diabetes and high blood pressure.
How to Treat Carotid Artery Disease?
The main aim of the treatment of carotid artery disease is to stop the growth of the disease. Lifestyle modification that includes regular exercise and a healthy diet is a must. A daily dose of Aspirin after being prescribed by the professional may help lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels. A surgical intervention proves one of the most successful treatment plans for carotid artery disease. Endarterectomy is a surgical procedure that clears the carotid artery from plaque via an incision. A stent through a wide needle puncture is placed in the cleared artery. This surgical procedure is generally performed by an interdisciplinary team that comprises mainly vascular surgeons.
Conclusion
Carotid artery stenosis or carotid artery disease may be life-threatening if not diagnosed on time and treated promptly. It may lead to stroke that eventually leads to sudden death or permanent disability. Due to this reason, we must be aware of the signs and symptoms of stroke and act accordingly. Therefore, immediate and exact management of carotid artery disease may be lifesaving. Additionally, the result of surgical intervention as well as stent placement is excellent
