Sometimes it's diagnosed if you're having tests for another reason and the doctor testing you notices your arteries are narrowed. This is called an asymptomatic carotid stenosis. an embolic stroke – if a blood clot forms on the roughened surface of the carotid artery and breaks off, it may block 1 or more arteries in the brainĬarotid artery disease is usually diagnosed if a person has the symptoms of a stroke or TIA, such as the face drooping on 1 side, numbness or weakness in the arms or legs, speech problems, or a loss of vision in 1 eye.an ischaemic stroke – if the carotid artery is completely blocked and limits the blood supply to your brain.There are 2 ways a stroke or TIA could occur if the flow of blood through your carotid arteries becomes blocked or restricted:

This process is called atherosclerosis.Īs well as ageing, there are several other factors that can contribute to a build-up of plaque. Normal healthy arteries are elastic and smooth on the inside, allowing blood to easily flow through them.Īs a person gets older, plaque can build up inside the arteries, making them narrower and stiffer. This is known as carotid artery disease or carotid artery stenosis, and it significantly increases your risk of having a stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA). A carotid endarterectomy may be needed if one or both of your carotid arteries become narrowed because of a build-up of fatty deposits (plaque).

Carotid artery doppler