Can you live with blocked carotid arteries?
People who have carotid artery stenosis are at increased risk for a stroke, which can lead to disability or death. Sometimes, strokes can be mild and recoverable. In other cases, strokes are very large and devastating. Carotid stenosis can cause a stroke in two ways.
What are the side effects of a blocked carotid artery?
Symptoms
- Sudden numbness or weakness in the face or limbs, often on only one side of the body.
- Sudden trouble speaking and understanding.
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
- Sudden dizziness or loss of balance.
- Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.
How do you unblock an artery in your neck?
This surgery is called a carotid endarterectomy. This procedure is time-sensitive and should be done soon after the stroke or TIA, with the goal of preventing another stroke. During this procedure, a surgeon makes a cut in the neck just below the jaw, then opens the carotid artery and carefully removes the plaque.
How long does carotid artery surgery take?
A carotid endarterectomy usually takes 1 to 2 hours to perform. If both of your carotid arteries need to be unblocked, 2 separate procedures will be carried out. One side will be done first and the second side will be done a few weeks later.
Are you awake during carotid artery surgery?
Carotid endarterectomy is performed with local anesthesia, so you are awake during the procedure. It is easier for the doctor to monitor blood flow to the brain when you are awake, which helps him or her determine whether a tube called a shunt is needed.
How long do you stay in hospital after carotid artery surgery?
Patients usually stay in the hospital for 1 to 2 days after the surgery to allow time for recovery and time for the physician to monitor progress. You will be discharged with information about which activities you may need to limit and for how long, such as driving or physical activities.
What is the treatment for blocked arteries in the neck?
Carotid endarterectomy is the traditional surgical treatment for carotid artery disease. Carotid endarterectomy has been proven to be beneficial for symptomatic patients with a 50 percent or greater carotid stenosis (blockage) and for asymptomatic patients with a 60 percent or greater carotid stenosis.
What is the recovery time after neck artery blockage surgery?
After surgery, most people can return to normal activities within three to four weeks. Although, many get back to their daily routines as soon as they feel up to it. During the first few weeks of your recovery, some key things to keep in mind include: You may have some soreness in your neck for about two weeks.
What are the symptoms of a neck artery blockage?
Complete Blockage of a Carotid Artery. Complete clogging of the carotid arteries is uncommon.
Can you live with a blocked carotid artery?
Some people can live their whole lives with a degree of blockage in their carotid artery and never even realize it, which is why sometimes doctors will not take any action when they find partial blockage in a patient of advanced age.