Skip to main content

menu

Carotid Stenosis

CAS VideoCarotid stenosis occurs when blockage (cholesterol plaque) builds up in the arteries in the neck which supply blood flow to the brain.

Carotid stenosis can cause a bruit, a turbulent sound in the arteries in the neck heard by doctors with their stethoscopes. If not treated appropriately, carotid stenosis can lead to strokes.

SymptomsBlood Lipids

  • Carotid stenosis is most commonly asymptomatic.
  • This condition can cause “mini-strokes” (TIA’s) which are transient stroke symptoms that resolve on their own within a short period of time.
  • If it causes a stroke, symptoms are commonly weakness on one side of the body, speech problems or vision changes.

Diagnostic Tests

Treatment

  • Blood pressure medications (example - metoprolol, lisinopril)
  • Cholesterol medications (example - statins [atorvastatin])
  • Aspirin and/or clopidogrel (Plavix)
  • Stents (occasional)
  • Surgery to remove the blockage in the artery (endarterectomy) (occasional)
  • Cardiac Catheterization Animation

Print this information

For Additional Information

 

Your feedback helps improve this site!

How helpful was the information on this page?: