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Carotid Artery Disease Diagnosis and Treatment by Mayo Clinic Experts
Choose Mayo Clinic for carotid artery disease specialists with deep expertise in diagnosis and treatment, even for highly complex cases. Our experts collaborate to create a personalized treatment plan for your unique needs.
Carotid artery disease occurs when fatty deposits (called plaques) narrow and clog blood vessels that deliver blood to the brain. This increases the risk of stroke. At Mayo Clinic, we’ll help you plan your best path forward.
A comprehensive consult for accurate diagnosis.
Your team may take a medical history, perform a physical exam and tests, and conduct advanced imaging tests. Ultrasound, CT angiography, and MR angiography may be used to look at blood flow in the carotid arteries. CT or MRI may be used to look for signs of a stroke.
Experts in advanced treatments and complex care.
At Mayo Clinic, we regularly care for people with carotid artery disease who have complex health issues. Your team will include all the specialists and experts needed to support your care, which may include lifestyle changes, medicines, and potentially surgery.
Our surgeons have deep experience in:
- Carotid angioplasty, which involves inserting and inflating a tiny balloon in the clogged artery temporarily to widen and allow blood flow.
- Stenting, which involves placing a small coil or stent in the artery to allow blood flow.
- Carotid endarterectomy, a traditional surgery to remove plaques from a clogged artery.
Carotid angioplasty and stenting may be options for you when:
- The blockage is 70% or more.
- You've already had a stroke or stroke symptoms.
- You are not able to undergo surgery due to other health issues.
- New narrowing occurs after having an endarterectomy (called restenosis).
- The narrowed section is difficult to access with endarterectomy.
Stroke is a medical emergency.
Seek emergency care for symptoms of a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). Symptoms may include:
- Sudden numbness or weakness in the face or limbs, often on one side of the body.
- Sudden trouble speaking and understanding speech.
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
- Sudden dizziness or loss of balance.
- Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.
When it's time to find answers, you know where to go.
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