Carotid artery disease, also called carotid artery stenosis, occurs when these arteries narrow or are completely closed due to plaque, which builds up because of high cholesterol levels. Carotid artery disease may have no signs. But sometimes it results in short-lived transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), such as weakness or numbness in a limb, slurred speech or impaired vision. TIAs often precede a stroke.
Carotid arteries can be opened by plaque removal surgery or the insertion of a balloon or stent to widen them.
LifeWire, a part of The New York Times Company, provides original and syndicated online lifestyle content. Nancy Larson is a St. Louis-based freelance writer whose work has appeared in dozens of local and national print and online publications including CNN.com, The Weather Channel, Health magazine and The Advocate.
