Carotid Artery Blockage

The term, carotid artery blockage, stands for a medical condition in the human body when the carotid arteries start narrowing. This could have fatal results as the result of the narrowness of the arteries can be the development of heart diseases and strokes. A very important point that should be mentioned here is that heart diseases have become one of the leading causes of death in the country.

It goes beyond doubt that carotid artery blockage is a rather scary condition, and can be best avoided. Also sometimes referred to as carotid artery stenosis, the main reason for the blockage of the artery is the accumulation of fatty deposits and cholesterol on the walls of the arteries. The deposits are together called plaque.
The carotid artery can be considered to be among the most important blood vessels of the cardiovascular system. These large arteries function to supply blood that is rich in oxygen, to the front part of the brain. It is imperative to note that it is this part of the brain which is responsible for thinking, sensory, speech, personality and other motor functions. Now that you see why these arteries are so important, you will understand that any disease related to it be best avoided.

Carotid Artery Diseases Are Not Rare
In similarity to all the other arteries that are present in the body, the carotid arteries can also harden because of the arterial plaque deposits. The building up of various substances due to the passage of time contributes to it. These substances may be fatty acids, calcium, cholesterol, fibrin and other components that are present in the blood. This accumulation can decrease the flow of blood in the brain, and thus increase the chances of developing a stroke.

The stroke that is caused due to carotid artery blockage is sometime called as a brain attack. What happens is that once the carotid vessels get blocked, the flow of blood to the desired area of the brain is completely cut off. If left unattended for a period of minimum three to six hours, the damage that is caused to the brain becomes permanent.

Symptoms Of Carotid Artery Disease
This is a serious medical condition, and demands medical assistance as soon as it is detected. However, it is also possible that the blockage may have already been developing inside for years until the presence of it is determined. Some symptoms to look for are:

• Temporary loss in vision and hearing
• Severe headache
• A simple hissing sound in the brain
• Sudden and temporary difficulty when speaking, thinking or even understanding.