What are the warning signs of carotid artery disease?

Carotid artery disease is often a silent disease, developing without causing any pain, discomfort, or other symptoms. If plaque buildup goes unnoticed until it is seriously impacting blood flow to the brain, it can cause a stroke. Early screening can help identify the problem before it is too late, especially in people with risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

The warning signs of a stroke are:

• Sudden numbness or weakness in arms or legs, which may only be present on one side of the body
• Facial drooping, which can affect only one side of the face
• Sudden difficulty talking
• Dizziness
• Severe headache
• Sudden trouble seeing

What causes carotid artery disease?

Certain risk factors increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease and carotid artery disease. The contributing factors are:

• Age 55+
• Family history of cardiovascular disease, heart disease, or stroke
• Smoking (past or present)
• High Blood Pressure
• Diabetes
• High Cholesterol
• Obesity