Carotid artery how many are there

Carotid artery disease is a condition in which the carotid arteries narrow. This narrowing reduces the amount of oxygen-rich blood that can flow through these vessels. The most common cause of carotid artery disease is atherosclerosis , which is a buildup of plaques comprising fatty deposits, cholesterol, and other substances.

Several factors put a person at increased risk of developing carotid artery disease. These include:. A person may not experience any symptoms of carotid artery disease. If the arteries get so narrow that a blockage forms, however, they could experience a transient ischemic attack TIA or stroke.

A TIA is similar to a stroke in that it causes a lack of blood flow to parts of the brain for a short time. A stroke is a medical emergency. Anyone who witnesses someone possibly having a stroke should call or the local emergency number immediately. A doctor may use several different tests to determine whether a person has carotid artery disease or has had a stroke or TIA. These tests include:. Once a doctor has diagnosed carotid artery disease, they will recommend treatment options to help prevent future complications.

If a person has a more severe blockage, a doctor may recommend additional treatments, such as carotid angioplasty with stenting CAS. CAS is a minimally invasive procedure. The catheter may have a balloon at its tip, which the doctor can use to increase the size of the artery so that they can place a stent in the artery.

In some cases, a doctor may recommend a carotid endarterectomy CEA. A CEA is a procedure in which the doctor cleans plaque from the carotid artery. Over time, a person may develop carotid artery disease, which occurs when these blood vessels narrow. People who are concerned about their risk of TIA or stroke should speak to a doctor about treatments and lifestyle changes.

Carotid artery disease develops when the arteries that carry blood to the brain get narrower or clogged due to plaque buildup. Learn more about the…. Stroke blocks the blood supply to the brain and can be life threatening.

Learn more about strokes, including the types, symptoms, and how treat and…. A ministroke, also known as a transient ischemic attack TIA , involves a temporary loss of blood supply to the brain. Learn more about TIAs here.

In this article, learn about the different kinds of cholesterol, what different factors affect cholesterol levels, and when to contact a doctor. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Carotid artery Open pop-up dialog box Close. Carotid artery The carotid arteries are a pair of blood vessels located on both sides of your neck that deliver blood to your brain and head. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic.

Ischemic stroke Open pop-up dialog box Close. Ischemic stroke Ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks or plugs an artery leading to the brain. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Furie KL. Pathophysiology of symptoms from carotid atherosclerosis. Accessed April 24, McCarron MO, et al. Screening for asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis. Daroff RB, et al.

Ischemic cerebrovascular disease. In: Bradley's Neurology in Clinical Practice. Philadelphia, Pa. Ferri FF. Carotid stenosis. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor Bope ET, et al. The cardiovascular system. In: Conn's Current Therapy What are the risk factors for carotid artery disease?

Rochester, Minn. Carotid artery disease. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Accessed 24, Grotta JC. New England Journal of Medicine. Furie KL. Evaluation of c arotid artery stenosis.

Management of asymptomatic carotid atherosclerotic disease. Barrett KM expert opinion. Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla.

April 14, Morales-Volero SF, et al. Asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis: Time to rethink our therapeutic options? Neurosurgery Focus. Babu MA, et al. The durability of carotid endarterectomy: Long-term results for restenosis and stroke. Riggin EA. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 30, Barrett KM, et al. Stroke: Advances in medical therapy and acute stroke intervention.