Carotid Artery Disease

The carotid arteries are major arteries that supply oxygenated blood to the head and neck. These arteries consist of the common carotid artery, external carotid artery, and internal carotid artery. The external carotid artery supplies oxygenated blood to the scalp, neck, and face. The internal carotid artery supplies oxygenated blood to the brain. They are present both on the left and right sides of the body. The carotid arteries are used to measure the pulse of a person when it becomes difficult to gauge the pulse via peripheral arteries due to various conditions. For purposes of diagnosis, sounds emerging from carotid arteries are studied. Known as a carotid bruit, it is felt by the use of stethoscope. A bruit is a sound that emerges from the carotid artery in the neck area and is caused due to turbulent blood flow. It might be indicative of carotid artery stenosis. Diseases of the carotid arteries include carotid artery stenosis, carotidynia, and carotid artery disease. Carotid artery disease occurs when plaque builds up inside common carotid arteries. This can lead to a stroke as the brain is deprived of oxygen-rich blood. Carotid artery disease does not show up any symptom. However, when buildup of plaque is high enough it leads to a mini stroke called a transient ischemic attack that comes with symptoms like weakness and numbness in the face, dizziness, difficulty speaking, and drooping of the face to one side. Risk factors for carotid artery disease include smoking, diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and family history. People with diabetes are more prone to get carotid artery disease as hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia are comorbidities. High blood sugar levels tend to damage the lipid metabolism and tend to damage the blood vessels leading to the buildup of plaque. This puts people with diabetes at a higher risk of strokes, and cardiovascular diseases. Carotid artery disease is screened with carotid ultrasound, MRI, CT angiography, and other tests. Treatment options include removal of blockages by carotid endarterectomy, placement of carotid stent, and medications. People with diabetes should quit smoking, modify diet, and exercise regularly to prevent carotid artery disease.