Web Chat Transcripts - Questions and Answers with a Physician
Carotid artery disease, also called carotid artery stenosis, is the narrowing of the carotid arteries, usually caused by atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the buildup of cholesterol, fat and other substances traveling through the bloodstream, such as inflammatory cells, cellular waste products, proteins and calcium. These substances stick to the blood vessel walls over time as people age and combine to form a material called plaque. Plaque buildup can lead to narrowing or blockage in the carotid artery, reducing blood flow to the brain.
Read transcripts of prior web chats on this topic:
See related web chat transcripts for vascular disease, such as Ask the Vascular Surgeon.
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Reviewed: 07/11