Carotid artery disease
Carotid artery disease (also known as carotid stenosis) occurs when there is a narrowing of the carotid arteries that is usually caused by a buildup of fatty substances and cholesterol. Carotid artery disease results in decreased blood flow to the brain, which can increase your risk for stroke. If you smoke, have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, it's even more important to make sure your carotid arteries are clear.
You may experience no symptoms of carotid artery disease. Fatty substances can build up over time without warning signs, until you have a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or a stroke.
Treatment options
Our fellowship-trained and board-certified physicians provide comprehensive vascular care in a patient-centered environment. The team of highly skilled physicians, nurses, advanced practice providers and support staff focuses on superior quality and exceptional patient experiences. Our accomplished vascular team combines experience and advanced technologies to achieve clinical excellence, from testing and diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation.
An angioplasty is a less invasive procedure that opens a clogged artery with a small balloon. This can be done through the wrist (radial) or the groin (femoral) artery. Typically this procedure includes the placement of stents.
This surgery removes plaque and clots from the carotid arteries.
A small mesh tube is surgically placed in the blood vessel or artery to keep it open for blood flow. Some stents are embedded with drugs to offer further protection against clogging. Some heart conditions call for the use of bare metal stents.
Spectrum Health offers the area’s largest and most comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation program for patients who have recently experienced a major cardiovascular episode or treatment.
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