Overview

Carotid Artery Disease

Normally our arteries are smooth and clean on the inside, but as you age, plaque can build up in the walls of your arteries.  The plaque build-up restricts/reduces the blood flow in the carotid arteries. Sometimes the plaque deposits are soft and can crack or form rough areas inside the artery, causing a blood clot to form in your carotid artery.  If the clot is large enough it can reduce or eliminate the blood flow to your brain and cause a stroke.  Other times some of the plaque breaks away from the artery wall and travels through the bloodstream, lodging in a smaller artery in the brain and causing a stroke. 

Carotid artery disease  is a serious health problem because it can cause a stroke.   Stroke is the third leading cause of death among adults in the US and is the leading cause of disability.

View our Video on Carotid Artery Disease

View Dr. Kelly's Carotid Artery Disease Pre Appointment Video