McLaren Health

Carotid Artery Disease: Risk factors, tests and treatment options

Posted Date: 6/27/2012
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Carotid artery disease, also known as carotid artery stenosis, is a condition in which the arteries of the neck become narrow due to buildup of fatty plaque.When the carotid arteries are narrowed or obstructed (carotid artery occlusion), the risk for a stroke greatly increases.

A stroke occurs when blood flow is cut off from part of the brain.One-third of all strokes are fatal, and those that aren’t can be devastating, leaving survivors with significant functional difficulties, such as paralysis of a limb, inability to speak, or blindness in an eye.

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