What happens if you have a blockage in your neck?
Carotid artery disease occurs when fatty deposits (plaques) clog the blood vessels that deliver blood to your brain and head (carotid arteries). The blockage increases your risk of stroke, a medical emergency that occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted or seriously reduced.
Can you live with one carotid artery blocked?
Many people function normally with one completely blocked carotid artery, provided they haven’t had a disabling stroke. If narrowing hasn’t caused complete blockage, then a revascularization procedure may be warranted.
Is carotid endarterectomy a high risk surgery?
Results: Four hundred twenty-nine patients underwent 499 CEAs, of which 84 (17%) were considered high risk. The overall stroke-death rate among all patients was 2.8%. A total of 11 postoperative strokes (2.2%), 7 TIAs (1.4%), and 3 deaths (0.6%) occurred within 30 days after surgery.
How long is carotid artery surgery?
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.
What happens if one of the arteries in the neck is blocked?
There are two large arteries in the neck, one on each side. They are the carotid arteries, and they carry blood to the brain. If one of them is narrowed or blocked, it can lead to a stroke. Doctors can test for a narrowed carotid artery, but it’s usually not a good idea.
How does an endarterectomy remove fatty plaque from the neck?
Endarterectomy removes fatty plaque through an incision in the neck. Angioplasty plus stenting opens the narrowing from the inside with a balloon and leaves behind a stent to hold the artery open.
What causes a soft whooshing sound in the neck?
An often-silent disease. These soft, whooshing sounds are caused by turbulence as blood tumbles through a narrowing in a carotid artery. Clogged carotids are sometimes found during ultrasound exams of the neck and head. For most people, though, the first sign of trouble is a transient ischemic attack or a stroke.
Where can I get a blood test for a clogged neck?
The test is often offered at health fairs, senior centers, and other public locations. Before you pay for it, ask your doctor if you need it. If you really do need it, your health plan may pay. Your plan is more likely to pay if: Your doctor orders it. You get it in an office or lab that is part of your health plan.