Carotid Artery Disease

Did you know that narrowing of the arteries in your neck can also lead to a stroke, and often without any warning signs?

Just like the arteries of the heart get blocked, the carotid arteries in your neck can also become narrowed: a condition known as Carotid Artery Disease (CAD).

Read on to learn how CAD develops, what signs to watch for!

What is Carotid Artery Disease?

Carotid arteries are the major blood vessels in the neck that supply oxygen-rich blood to the brain. Over time, fatty plaque buildup can cause these arteries to narrow or become blocked, a condition called carotid artery disease.

This restricts the blood supply to the brain and can cause a stroke. Carotid artery narrowing develops gradually and silently, often without any symptoms until it becomes severe or leads to a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), commonly called a “mini-stroke.”

Signs & Symptoms of Carotid Artery Disease

Carotid artery narrowing or blockage compromises the blood supply to the brain — causing it to lose its ability to function properly.

In many cases, this doesn’t result in a full-blown stroke but rather a situation that mimics one, known as a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) or “mini-stroke.”

The signs of a TIA, are sudden, short-lived symptoms such as:

Dizziness or Loss of Balance

You may feel lightheaded or suddenly off-balance
Difficulty to walk straight or stand without support.

Blurred Vision

A dimming, hazy vision or loss of sight in one eye can occur.
You may feel like a curtain is coming down over your vision.

Sudden Weakness or Numbness

A sudden weakness, tingling, or numbness on one side of your body affecting the face, arm, and leg. You might struggle to hold a cup of water or find that something slips from your hand unexpectedly.

Slurred Speech

You may slur words, struggle to speak clearly or have trouble understanding others.
Even simple sentences seem hard to form.

Headache & Confusion

Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.
Sudden dizziness, confusion or difficulty focusing.

⚠️ Even brief episodes of these symptoms should never be ignored. These can be a sign of stroke.

Treatment of Carotid Artery Blockage

Treatment for carotid artery disease depends on how severe the blockage is and whether you’ve had symptoms like a mini-stroke or stroke.

The goal is to restore healthy blood flow to the brain and prevent future strokes.

Medical & Lifestyle Management

Medications: Blood thinners to prevent clots and statins to reduce plaque buildup

Blood pressure & diabetes control: Protects artery walls from further damage.
Lifestyle changes: Quitting smoking, balanced diet and staying active, to reduce stroke risk.

Carotid Endarterectomy (CEA)

Traditional surgical procedure performed through an incision in the neck.
The artery is accessed and plaque is carefully removed to restore normal blood flow.
Often the first choice of treatment and recommended for patients with significant stenosis.

Carotid Angioplasty with Stenting

Minimally invasive procedure performed through a small puncture.
A thin catheter with a balloon opens the narrowed artery.
A stent is placed to keep the artery open and maintain blood flow.

Transcarotid Artery Revascularisation (TCAR)

Advanced, hybrid technique perfformed through a small neck incision.
Blood flow is temporarily reversed during the procedure to protect the brain from debris.
A stent is placed to reopen and stabilise the artery, offering faster recovery and reduced stroke risk.

At CIIVES, carotid artery treatments are performed by experienced and gold medalist vascular surgeons ensuring patient safety and successful outcomes.

Patient Outcomes: Before & After

Resources

Watch videos to understand how Carotid Artery Disease treatments work and what to expect during recovery.

Need More Help?

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