Carotid Stenosis

What Is Carotid Stenosis?

Carotid stenosis is the narrowing of the carotid arteries, the large vessels in your neck that carry blood to your brain. The narrowing is typically caused by plaque buildup, the same process that causes coronary artery disease. Because the carotid arteries supply the brain, significant narrowing increases your risk of stroke, especially if a piece of plaque breaks loose and travels to the brain.

Why Is It Treated?

Carotid stenosis often has no symptoms until a stroke or mini-stroke (transient ischemic attack, or TIA) occurs. Identifying and managing the condition early is critical for stroke prevention. Treatment focuses on slowing or stopping plaque progression, reducing the risk of clot formation, and addressing the broader cardiovascular risk factors that drove the narrowing in the first place.

What to Expect

Screening typically begins with a carotid ultrasound, a painless test that uses sound waves to measure blood flow and assess the degree of narrowing in each artery. Based on the results, your treatment plan may include lifestyle changes, blood pressure and cholesterol management, antiplatelet medications such as aspirin, and close ongoing monitoring. In severe cases, your doctor will discuss procedural options performed at affiliated hospitals, such as carotid stenting or surgery.

How to Prepare

Bring a list of your current medications, any previous imaging or test results, and a summary of your cardiovascular history (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking history, family history of stroke or heart disease). Be ready to describe any symptoms that could suggest a TIA, such as sudden weakness on one side, vision changes, slurred speech, or brief confusion, even if they resolved quickly.