Can you live with one carotid artery blocked?

Many people function normally with one completely blocked carotid artery, provided they haven’t had a disabling stroke. If narrowing hasn’t caused complete blockage, then a revascularization procedure may be warranted.

What happens if one carotid artery is blocked?

They are the carotid arteries, and they carry blood to the brain. If one of them is narrowed or blocked, it can lead to a stroke. Doctors can test for a narrowed carotid artery, but it’s usually not a good idea. In fact, the test may do more harm than good.

Can a blocked carotid artery be fixed?

The options include: Carotid endarterectomy, the most common treatment for severe carotid artery disease. After making an incision along the front of your neck, the surgeon opens the affected carotid artery and removes the plaques. The artery is repaired with either stitches or a graft.

What percentage of artery blockage requires surgery?

If a carotid artery is narrowed from 50\% to 69\%, you may need more aggressive treatment, especially if you have symptoms. Surgery is usually advised for carotid narrowing of more than 70\%.

How serious is a blocked artery in the neck?

Carotid artery disease occurs when fatty deposits (plaques) clog the blood vessels that deliver blood to your brain and head (carotid arteries). The blockage increases your risk of stroke, a medical emergency that occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted or seriously reduced.

What is the survival rate for carotid artery surgery?

Inzitari et al9 published a study of patients from the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET) with a (contralateral) asymptomatic stenosis (>60\%) and the 5-year survival was 79\%.

How successful is carotid artery surgery?

How well do carotid artery procedures work? A carotid procedure may lower the risk of stroke from about 2\% per year to 1\% per year. It might take up to 5 years to get this decrease in stroke risk. Overall, endarterectomy and stenting seem to work about equally well to help prevent stroke.

How long is the hospital stay for carotid artery surgery?

Patients usually stay in the hospital for 1 to 2 days after the surgery to allow time for recovery and time for the physician to monitor progress. You will be discharged with information about which activities you may need to limit and for how long, such as driving or physical activities.

How long does carotid artery surgery take?

A carotid endarterectomy usually takes 1 to 2 hours to perform. If both of your carotid arteries need to be unblocked, 2 separate procedures will be carried out. One side will be done first and the second side will be done a few weeks later.

Do you have a blocked carotid artery?

Here’s why. Blocked carotid arteries are not a common stroke risk. Only 1/2 to 1 percent of U.S. adults have a narrowed carotid artery. Even if you have the condition, it’s not likely to cause a stroke unless you have other symptoms or risk factors too.

Should I have a carotid endarterectomy after a stroke?

Your carotid artery is severely blocked and has already caused a stroke or mini-stroke. In this case, the surgery can greatly reduce your risk of another stroke. You have moderate blockage but you have had a stroke or mini-stroke. A CEA may help if you have it soon after your stroke or mini-stroke.

Can carotid stenosis cause a stroke?

ANSWER: Carotid stenosis is a common cause of stroke, so it’s crucial that your husband be treated for his condition. Traditional treatments for carotid stenosis can pose a small risk of triggering a stroke.

What should I avoid after carotid angioplasty and stenting?

You may need to avoid strenuous activity and heavy lifting for 24 hours after the procedure. For most people, carotid angioplasty and stenting increase blood flow through the previously blocked artery and reduce the risk of stroke.