Carotid artery disease
Carotid Artery Disease
Carotid artery disease (pronunciation: kuh-ROT-id AR-ter-ee dih-ZEEZ) is a medical condition that affects the blood vessels leading to the brain and head. The disease is characterized by the buildup of plaque in the carotid arteries, which can lead to a stroke.
Etymology
The term "carotid" is derived from the Greek word "karōtides" meaning "to stupefy" or "to plunge into deep sleep", as pressure on these arteries was believed to cause unconsciousness. The term "artery disease" refers to any condition that affects the arteries, the blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the heart to the body's tissues.
Symptoms
Symptoms of carotid artery disease may not appear until the condition is advanced. They can include sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, loss of vision in one eye, and severe headache.
Causes
Carotid artery disease is caused by a buildup of plaque in the carotid arteries. This buildup can be due to several factors, including high cholesterol levels, smoking, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Treatment
Treatment for carotid artery disease can include lifestyle changes, medication, and in severe cases, surgery. The goal of treatment is to prevent a stroke.
Related Terms
- Atherosclerosis: A disease in which plaque builds up inside your arteries.
- Stroke: A medical condition in which poor blood flow to the brain results in cell death.
- Angioplasty: A surgical procedure to restore blood flow through an artery.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Carotid artery disease
- Wikipedia's article - Carotid artery disease
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