The cardiovascular diseases

STENOSIS OF THE CAROTID ARTERIES

- Definition
- A few explanations
- The Symptoms
- How to make the diagnosis?
- The Causes
- Complications
- Treatment
- Conclusion

DEFINITION

The carotid arteries are localized at the level of the neck, and distribute blood at the level of the head.

On each side, the common carotid artery divides in internal carotid artery, which brings blood to the brain, and external carotid artery, bringing blood at the level of the face.

Description of the neck vessels. Note ahead the presence of the common,
internal and external carotid arteries.

The stenosis of the carotid artery may lead to a reduction of the blood contribution at the level of the brain, whose consequences are often dramatic.

The stenosis of the carotid arteries is a relatively frequent illness in the general population from a certain age, and is often discovered by the physician because the symptoms of this illness are rare.

The treatment rests on the management of the cardiovascular risk factors and sometimes requires surgery.

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File last reviewed on dec 18, 2011