Your carotid arteries are the major blood vessels in your neck that supply blood to your brain, face, scalp, and neck. These arteries are critical to your overall health and well-being.

If there is a blockage or narrowing of these arteries, this can lead to serious health issues such as stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). However, not all carotid artery diseases are easily detected. There could be silent lesions in your carotids that you may not even know about until it’s too late.

What are Carotid Lesions?

Carotid lesions are areas of narrowing or blockage in your carotid arteries. They are typically caused by a buildup of plaque, which is made up of cholesterol, calcium, and other substances in your blood.

Plaque buildup can cause your arteries to become stiff and less flexible, which can increase your risk of a stroke or TIA.

There are different types of carotid lesions:.

Asymptomatic Lesions: These are carotid lesions that do not cause any symptoms. They are typically discovered by chance during routine medical tests or imaging.
Symptomatic Lesions: These are carotid lesions that cause symptoms such as weakness or numbness on one side of your body, difficulty in speaking, and difficulty in seeing. These symptoms can be a sign of a TIA or stroke.

Who is at Risk of Carotid Lesions?

Carotid lesions can occur in anyone, but they are more common in people who have certain risk factors such as:.

High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Smoking
Diabetes
Family history of heart disease
Obesity
Age (55 years or older)

If you have any of these risk factors, it’s important to talk to your doctor about your risk of carotid lesions and what you can do to reduce your risk.

How are Carotid Lesions Diagnosed?

Your doctor may suspect that you have carotid lesions if you have certain symptoms or risk factors. To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following tests:.

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Carotid Ultrasound: This is a noninvasive test that uses sound waves to create images of your carotid arteries. This test can show the location and severity of any blockages or narrowing in your arteries.
Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA): This is a noninvasive test that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create images of your blood vessels. This test can show the flow of blood through your carotid arteries and any blockages or narrowing that may be present.
Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA): This is a noninvasive test that uses X-rays to create images of your blood vessels. This test can show any blockages or narrowing in your carotid arteries.
Angiography: This is an invasive test that involves inserting a catheter into your artery and injecting contrast dye. X-rays are then taken to create images of your blood vessels. This test can show the location and severity of any blockages or narrowing in your carotid arteries.

What are the Treatment Options for Carotid Lesions?

The treatment options for carotid lesions depend on the severity of the blockage and whether or not you have symptoms.

If you have asymptomatic carotid lesions, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, losing weight, and managing your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Your doctor may also recommend medication such as statins to lower your cholesterol and antiplatelet medication to prevent blood clots.

If you have symptomatic carotid lesions, your doctor may recommend more aggressive treatments such as:.

Carotid Endarterectomy: This is a surgical procedure in which the surgeon removes the plaque from your carotid artery and restores blood flow to your brain. This procedure is typically recommended for people who have a severe blockage and symptoms such as weakness or numbness on one side of their body, difficulty in speaking, and difficulty in seeing.
Carotid Artery Stenting: This is a minimally invasive procedure in which the surgeon inserts a stent (a small mesh tube) into your carotid artery to hold it open and prevent further narrowing. This procedure is typically recommended for people who are not candidates for carotid endarterectomy.

Prevention of Carotid Lesions

There are several things you can do to prevent carotid lesions:.

Quit smoking
Lose weight
Eat a healthy diet that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol
Exercise regularly
Manage your blood pressure and cholesterol levels

If you have a family history of heart disease or stroke, it’s important to talk to your doctor about your risk and what you can do to reduce it.

Conclusion

Carotid lesions are a serious health issue that can lead to stroke or TIA. It’s important to talk to your doctor about your risk and what you can do to prevent these conditions.

If you have any symptoms such as weakness or numbness on one side of your body, difficulty in speaking, or difficulty in seeing, it’s important to seek medical attention right away. With the right treatment and prevention strategies, you can reduce your risk of carotid lesions and live a healthy life.