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When a lot of plaque builds up in your carotid arteries, you could be at risk of a stroke.
The carotid arteries in your neck supply essential blood and oxygen to your brain. Plaque buildup from fat and cholesterol can block these arteries, reducing blood flow and putting you at risk of having a stroke. This narrowing of the carotid artery is called carotid artery stenosis (or carotid artery disease).
If you’ve been diagnosed with carotid artery stenosis, it’s natural to be concerned. But the experts at Cleveland Clinic will put you at ease. We’re highly experienced in treating carotid artery stenosis. Our skilled, compassionate team is with you at every step, answering your questions and providing excellent care and support.
Cleveland Clinic is a trusted healthcare leader. We're recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for our expertise and care.
We treat thousands of people (most with complex medical histories) each year for vascular conditions, including carotid artery stenosis. Many people travel from across the U.S. and the globe to see our world-renowned experts. Meet our team.
We’ve received numerous awards and recognition for our vascular care. The Joint Commission has also recognized Cleveland Clinic for its excellence in stroke care. Fewer than 100 hospitals in the U.S. have received this recognition. You can trust our specialists to effectively manage your risk factors for stroke, including carotid artery stenosis.
At Cleveland Clinic, you’ll receive the highest level of care from a team of highly skilled specialists who are leaders in their fields. Your team may include specialists from different areas all working together to give you the most comprehensive care.
Cleveland Clinic’s advanced imaging and ultrasound let us precisely diagnose carotid artery stenosis and offer personalized treatment options.
At your first appointment, we’ll ask about your symptoms and health history. We’ll also review any images you’ve already had taken.
If you’ve had symptoms of a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) — sometimes called a mini-stroke — it may signal carotid artery blockage. TIA symptoms can last several minutes to 24 hours and include:
If we think you’ve had a stroke or TIA, we may order a CT scan (computed tomography scan) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to look closely at your carotid arteries and brain.
If you haven’t had any stroke or TIA symptoms, we’ll do a thorough physical exam and order an ultrasound to see how well blood is flowing through your carotid arteries.
At Cleveland Clinic, your carotid artery stenosis care team may include experts from several different specialties — all working together to give you the most comprehensive diagnosis and treatment. Your team may include:
Our healthcare providers see patients at convenient locations throughout Northeast Ohio, Florida and London.
If left untreated, carotid artery disease can lead to stroke. Your treatment will depend on your symptoms and the amount of carotid artery blockage you have. We may be able to treat you without repair. But if you have severe blockage, repair might be the best option.
If you don’t have any symptoms and only minimal blockage, we may recommend medication and lifestyle changes. We’ll partner with you and your primary care provider to help you:
If your carotid artery is severely blocked and you have symptoms, your provider may recommend repair. Procedures include minimally invasive carotid angioplasty and stenting or carotid endarterectomy, a traditional open surgery.
Our experienced surgeons will talk with you about your medical history, go over insurance coverage and review imaging to recommend the surgery that’s right for you. Options include:
Our team is highly trained and experienced in CAS, TCAR and CEA. We do over 400 of these procedures each year — giving us extensive experience. Our outcomes exceed national benchmarks.
We don’t forget about you after treatment. We’ll provide ongoing care that lessens your risk for stroke. At your follow-up appointments, your provider will:
Blocked carotid arteries may lead to serious complications, including stroke, if left untreated. At Cleveland Clinic, our specialists are world renowned for diagnosing and treating carotid artery stenosis and are recognized for our excellent results. You’ll get comprehensive and compassionate care and support from a team of highly experienced specialists. Whether you need surgery or just help managing the condition with a healthy lifestyle, we’re here for you.
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