Carotid disease and Stroke
Carotid disease and Stroke – is also known as carotid artery disease, a condition in which carotid arteries, the major blood vessels in the neck suppling blood to the brain, become narrowed or blocked. This can occur due to the build-up of plaque, a fatty substance, within the artery walls. This build-up can lead to atherosclerosis, a condition in which the arteries harden and narrow.
Carotid disease can be asymptomatic, meaning there are no noticeable symptoms, or it can cause transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs), also known as mini strokes. TIAs are brief episodes of neurological symptoms that occur when blood flow to the brain is temporarily reduced or interrupted. These symptoms can include weakness or numbness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking and vision changes.
It is vital that patients are referred for urgent carotid assessment to reduce the risk of further events.
Treatments for carotid stenosis include:
- Carotid endarterectomy
- Robotically assisted carotid artery stenting. We are one of only two centres in the world to offer this service.