Vascular Conditions
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Vascular conditions affect the veins and arteries in the body, which conduct oxygen to every living cell. In many cases, vascular conditions can be treated without surgery.

Even so, it’s important to see a vascular surgeon, as these problems can impact other parts of your body. Read more+

Exercise, diet, or medication may be prescribed as a first step in regaining your vascular health. Should surgery be needed, our physicians are experienced in every type of surgical intervention, and successfully perform over 1,000 procedures annually, with excellent results.

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Carotid artery disease puts you at a greater risk of having a stroke.

The carotid arteries, located in the neck, are the main source of blood supply to your brain. As we age, plaque accumulates inside the arteries. If too much builds up in the carotid artery it can cause the artery to narrow (carotid stenosis). Small clots can form, then break off and travel to the brain, causing a stroke. Carotid stenosis is responsible for up to one-third of all strokes—and strokes cause 1 of every 15 deaths in the U.S.

As many as 3% of people over age 65 have carotid artery disease. Your risk increases as you age, and is greater if you have a history of smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or heart disease.

There are multiple causes of plaque build-up in the carotid arteries, including smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes. In rare cases, the carotid artery may narrow due to inflammation.

Symptoms

Many people with carotid artery disease (CAD) experience no symptoms, even if the blockage is severe. The condition is sometimes found during a routine physical or eye exam, or following a stroke. In rare cases, CAD may cause fainting or ringing in the ears due to decreased blood flow to the brain.

Because the first signs of carotid artery disease may be a stroke or mini-stroke, it’s important to know those symptoms:

  • Weakness or numbness on one side of the body
  • Slurred speech
  • Facial drooping

If you experience the symptoms of a stroke, seek immediate medical help.

During a routine physical exam, your doctor listens to certain blood vessels using a stethoscope. If a whistling sound is heard, it could indicate plaque build-up in the carotid artery. CAD may also be detected during an eye exam, if your doctor sees plaque in the artery that supplies the retina. In either case, you’ll be referred to a vascular surgeon for treatment.

The surgeon will most likely suggest a carotid artery duplex scan, a non-invasive test which is done using two kinds of ultrasound. This helps determine if the carotid artery is narrowing and provide an accurate estimate of the severity.

Occasionally the surgeon may recommend alternative tests such as a CT scan, MRI or an angiogram.

The purpose of treating carotid artery disease is to reduce the possibility, or the recurrence, of a stroke. The specific treatment will depend on the degree of artery blockage.

Medications can help slow the progress of CAD. If the degree of narrowing is less than 50-60%, aspirin and medication that lower cholesterol and blood pressure are often prescribed.

If the narrowing is greater that 60% of the artery, surgery may be recommended in addition to medication. Common procedures are carotid endarterectomy or carotid angioplasty and stenting.

These suggestions can help slow the progression of carotid artery disease:

  • Stop smoking
  • Get frequent, non-strenuous exercise (such as walking)

Ask your vascular surgeon about medications that may help control the disease, including medications that can reduce your blood pressure and blood cholesterol, and make your blood less sticky.

Overview

Carotid artery disease puts you at a greater risk of having a stroke.

The carotid arteries, located in the neck, are the main source of blood supply to your brain. As we age, plaque accumulates inside the arteries. If too much builds up in the carotid artery it can cause the artery to narrow (carotid stenosis). Small clots can form, then break off and travel to the brain, causing a stroke. Carotid stenosis is responsible for up to one-third of all strokes—and strokes cause 1 of every 15 deaths in the U.S.

As many as 3% of people over age 65 have carotid artery disease. Your risk increases as you age, and is greater if you have a history of smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or heart disease.

Causes / Symptoms

There are multiple causes of plaque build-up in the carotid arteries, including smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes. In rare cases, the carotid artery may narrow due to inflammation.

Symptoms

Many people with carotid artery disease (CAD) experience no symptoms, even if the blockage is severe. The condition is sometimes found during a routine physical or eye exam, or following a stroke. In rare cases, CAD may cause fainting or ringing in the ears due to decreased blood flow to the brain.

Because the first signs of carotid artery disease may be a stroke or mini-stroke, it’s important to know those symptoms:

  • Weakness or numbness on one side of the body
  • Slurred speech
  • Facial drooping

If you experience the symptoms of a stroke, seek immediate medical help.

Diagnosis

During a routine physical exam, your doctor listens to certain blood vessels using a stethoscope. If a whistling sound is heard, it could indicate plaque build-up in the carotid artery. CAD may also be detected during an eye exam, if your doctor sees plaque in the artery that supplies the retina. In either case, you’ll be referred to a vascular surgeon for treatment.

The surgeon will most likely suggest a carotid artery duplex scan, a non-invasive test which is done using two kinds of ultrasound. This helps determine if the carotid artery is narrowing and provide an accurate estimate of the severity.

Occasionally the surgeon may recommend alternative tests such as a CT scan, MRI or an angiogram.

Treatment

The purpose of treating carotid artery disease is to reduce the possibility, or the recurrence, of a stroke. The specific treatment will depend on the degree of artery blockage.

Medications can help slow the progress of CAD. If the degree of narrowing is less than 50-60%, aspirin and medication that lower cholesterol and blood pressure are often prescribed.

If the narrowing is greater that 60% of the artery, surgery may be recommended in addition to medication. Common procedures are carotid endarterectomy or carotid angioplasty and stenting.

Reducing Risk

These suggestions can help slow the progression of carotid artery disease:

  • Stop smoking
  • Get frequent, non-strenuous exercise (such as walking)

Ask your vascular surgeon about medications that may help control the disease, including medications that can reduce your blood pressure and blood cholesterol, and make your blood less sticky.

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