Carotid Disease

What is carotid disease?

You have two large arteries in your neck that supply your brain and the rest of your head with fresh, oxygenated blood. They’re your carotid arteries, and they can become blocked over time with a plaque substance made up of cholesterol, fat, calcium, and more. This blockage is known as carotid artery disease.

When too much blood flow is blocked, your brain doesn’t get the oxygen it needs. This results in stroke, which is the leading cause of disability in the US and can be fatal.

One of the biggest challenges about carotid artery disease is that it generally has very few warning signs until it’s developed into a severe health risk for you. Fortunately, Sunnyvale Cardiology offers testing specifically for this condition.

How do I know if I have carotid disease?

Although carotid disease usually doesn’t develop apparent symptoms until its advanced stages, there are some steps you can take to maintain the health of your carotid arteries.

First, watch for transient ischemic attacks, or TIAs. Often called mini-strokes, these incidents come with all the symptoms of a stroke, but they go away quickly, usually dissipating anywhere between a few minutes to an hour later. The symptoms of a TIA include:

• Dizziness
• Numbness or weakness, often on only one side of the body
• Trouble seeing, often out of one eye
• Trouble speaking
• Confusion
• Trouble walking

You don’t have to wait until you experience a TIA to get a carotid disease diagnosis and treatment, either. If you want to take a preventive step to ensure your brain is getting the blood flow it needs, come to Sunnyvale Cardiology for a carotid Doppler.

What is a carotid Doppler?

Also known as a carotid ultrasound, a carotid Doppler is a safe, noninvasive test that allows Dr. Maddukuri, Dr. Mallick, and Dr. Moore to confirm that your carotid arteries are healthy and unblocked. Using sound waves, they can see into your artery, checking blood flow speed and direction and detecting any plaque buildup.

If your carotid Doppler concludes that you’re at a heightened risk for stroke, Dr. Maddukuri, Dr. Mallick, and Dr. Moore tailor a treatment plan for you. It may be simpler than you expect, too. Lifestyle changes like increased exercise and healthy eating are powerful tools in defending against stroke.

Keep your arteries healthy and your brain oxygenated. Call Sunnyvale Cardiology or schedule your appointment online to discuss your risk for carotid disease and your resources for preventing it.