What is Carotid Artery Disease?

Posted: Sept. 1, 2005

The two carotid arteries are the main arteries in the neck whose branches supply blood to the head and neck.

Carotid artery disease is defined by the narrowing or blockage of this artery due to plaque build-up. The process that blocks these arteries (atherosclerosis) is basically the same as that which causes both coronary artery disease and peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The slow build-up of plaque is caused by high blood pressure, diabetes, tobacco use, high blood cholesterol, and other modifiable risk factors.

Over time, this narrowing may eventually become so severe that a blockage decreases blood flow to the brain and may tragically cause a stroke. A stroke can also occur if a piece of plaque or a blood clot breaks off from the wall of the carotid artery and travels to the smaller arteries of the brain.

Carotid artery disease is one of the most common causes of stroke. According to the National Stroke Council, more than half of the strokes in the United States occur because of carotid artery disease.

Source: Society of Interventional Radiology

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