Q: how likely would it be that both carotid arteries <50% occluded will progress on medication to a higher percent blockage over a year in a female 75+?

Carotid blockage.: It's not the presence or absence of the medication that matters. It's the efficacy of the medication that matters. How well are BP, blood sugar, cholesterol and weight controlled? Are we smoking cigarettes? Blockage will progress if risk factors for progression are not adequately controlled.

Q: hi doctors. how do i know if i have a blockage in my carotid artery?

Duplex: You can get a carotid duplex (ultrasound) exam.

Q: how do you establish cause and effect in carotid artery blockage stroke.?

Carotid disease: If angiogram was "fine" then you must not have any. The best way is to get a piece of the blockage in the carotid and look at it under a microscope. Most common cause would be vascular damage (rust) from smoking, high blood pressure, high lipids or old trauma. Happy to do 2nd Opinion to help narrow this down in you.

Question 1

is a moderate to severe blockage in left carotid artery dangerous?

Accepted Answer

Carotid: Having a significant carotid lesion increases the chance of having an episode related to it. Generally we treat with anti atherosclerotic meds and aspirin. Sometimes we do prophylactic carotid endarterectomy if the clinical situation supports that step.

Question 2

do you have info on facilities and surgeons who perform removal of 100% carotid arteries by freezing the plaque for removal?  my brother has 100% blockage on his right carotid, and 85% blockage on his left.

Accepted Answer

Freeze Carotid: This is a very risky situation.  This procedure does not work and is very risky with 100% occlusion and even 85%.  If he smokes he should stop now!

We are not a medical facility.  We do online consults. Please discuss with your Dr and health care team.

Question 3

i have 69% blockage in the left carotid artery. i also have dizzy fainting spells. what should i do?

Accepted Answer

Be evaluated: A 69% carotid artery blockage on one side isn't enough to cause dizziness/ fainting spells. Is it low blood pressure, anemia, a middle ear problem? It's best to have your internist work through the possible causes. With regard to your cerebral circulation, it would be helpful to know how your vertebral arteries look. A simple ultrasound can evaluate these arteries which supply the balance center.

Question 4

i am 54, previous heart attack.  now have mild blockage in the right carotid artery and moderate/ severe in the left so i am told.  cta shows 50% blockage on both sides.  the left carotid artery has a velocity in the 400's. how should they treat this?

Accepted Answer

Carotid stenosis: Agree with Dr Fowler, as you would highly benefit from a telemedicine virtual consult with one of our superlative HT physicians 
A vascular surgeon could also provide excellent guidance and is another worthwhile visit.

Question 5

i have been occasionally waking up with dim vision in left eye. i have a 60% blockage of my carotid artery on the left. could this be the cause?

Accepted Answer

Maybe: Amaurosis fugax is what you are referring to.  The plaque in the carotid artery can shed particulate matter upstream, and when this enters the artery going to the same side eye, typical symptom of "shade coming over the eye" is experienced.  Visiting an eye doctor may help make this diagnosis.

Question 6

what does intimal thickening of the carotid artery mean when thrre is no blockage?

Accepted Answer

Somewhat unclear: Blockages in the carotid artery of a certain severity may increase one's risk of stroke. For those carotid arteries without a blockage, some physicians measure the intima (the inner-most lining of the artery) and derive a value called the imt, or intimal-medial thickness. It's supposed to help us determine severity of atherosclerosis, but this is somewhat controversial.

Question 7

i have a carotid artery blockage. if i watch my diet from now on, will the blockage go away?

Accepted Answer

Unlikely: Diet alone will most likely not make the blockage go away. Medical management with Aspirin or Plavix (clopidogrel) (anti-platelet agents) and cholesterol lowering meds (statins) will give you the best results.

Question 8

how likely would it be that both carotid arteries <50% occluded will progress on medication
to a higher percent blockage over a year in a female 75+?

Accepted Answer

Carotid blockage.: It's not the presence or absence of the medication that matters. It's the efficacy of the medication that matters.  How well are BP, blood sugar, cholesterol and weight controlled?  Are we smoking cigarettes?  Blockage will progress if risk factors for progression are not adequately controlled.

Question 9

hi doctors. how do i know if i have a blockage in my carotid artery?

Accepted Answer

Duplex: You can get a carotid duplex (ultrasound) exam.

Question 10

how do you establish cause and effect in carotid artery blockage stroke.?

Accepted Answer

Carotid disease: If angiogram was "fine" then you must not have any. The best way is to get a piece of the blockage in the carotid and look at it under a microscope. Most common cause would be vascular damage (rust) from smoking, high blood pressure, high lipids or old trauma. Happy to do 2nd Opinion to help  narrow this down in you.

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Doctor answers about:

Left carotid artery blockage

A member asked:

Is a moderate to severe blockage in left carotid artery dangerous?

A member asked:

Do you have info on facilities and surgeons who perform removal of 100% carotid arteries by freezing the plaque for removal? my brother has 100% blockage on his right carotid, and 85% blockage on his left.

A member asked:

I have 69% blockage in the left carotid artery. i also have dizzy fainting spells. what should i do?

A member asked:

I am 54, previous heart attack. now have mild blockage in the right carotid artery and moderate/ severe in the left so i am told. cta shows 50% blockage on both sides. the left carotid artery has a velocity in the 400's. how should they treat this?

A member asked:

I have been occasionally waking up with dim vision in left eye. i have a 60% blockage of my carotid artery on the left. could this be the cause?

A member asked:

What does intimal thickening of the carotid artery mean when thrre is no blockage?

A member asked:

I have a carotid artery blockage. if i watch my diet from now on, will the blockage go away?

A member asked:

How likely would it be that both carotid arteries <50% occluded will progress on medication to a higher percent blockage over a year in a female 75+?

A member asked:

Hi doctors. how do i know if i have a blockage in my carotid artery?

A member asked:

How do you establish cause and effect in carotid artery blockage stroke.?

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