Question 1

is pain in the carotid artery a sign of heart failure with frequent pvc's, faintness,  fast heart rate and bloating?

Accepted Answer

Carotid artery: disease in itself has no symptoms; it causes symptoms when blood flow to the brain is decreased because of it. Perhaps you are having neck pain, near the location of the carotid artery, but I would not interpret that as a sign of heart failure or cause of PVC's. Certainly frequent PVC's might be a sign of more serious dysrhythmia causing faintness/fast heart rate. You need to continue cardiac care

Question 2

can 30% plaque in your carotid artery cause pain in the carotid/neck area?

Accepted Answer

No: Plaque in the arteries remain free of symptoms until significant impairment of blood flow after plaque ruptures and causes a clot or until the blockage becomes significant usually &gt;80%.

Question 3

what are the carotid arteries?

Accepted Answer

Carotic Arteries: The human carotid arteries supply the head and the neck with oxygenated blood.  The left common carotid artery originates from the aorta and the right common carotid originates from the brachiocephalic artery which originates from the aorta.  The carotic artery divides in the neck to form the internal and external carotic arteries.

Question 4

can your carotid artery spasm?

Accepted Answer

Yes. : Any artery that is not "hardened" with plaque or calcium can go into spasm.  However, connecting spasm with clinical symptoms is a more difficult.  If you are concerned you should consult a vascular surgeon or neurologist.

Question 5

can statins unclog carotid arteries?

Accepted Answer

Not really : Statins stabilize plaque so they are the best defense against atherosclerotic plaque. They decrease ischemic and embolic events. However, they do not reverse a stenosis.

Question 6

could  blocked carotid arteries impair vision?

Accepted Answer

Absoltuely: Blocked carotid arteries can cause a number of problems ranging from a slow decrease in the oxygen getting to one eye to a sudden blockage of blood flow from a clot.

Question 7

what are symptoms of blocked carotid arteries?

Accepted Answer

Stroke: Dizziness, visual changes. See stroke.Org for more complete list.

Question 8

what happens when a carotid artery gets nicked?

Accepted Answer

Carotid injury: Bleeding complication and if it is not addressed it could lead to death.

Question 9

what does narrowing of the carotid artery mean?

Accepted Answer

See below: Carotid artery narrowing means that the carotid arteries have blockage, usually in the form of atherosclerosis. 
In the absence of neurological symptoms, most cases can be handled with medicine and close periodic follow up by a vascular surgeon. However, if the blockage is more than 80%, surgery will reduce the risk of stroke.  In special instances, carotid angioplasty and stent may be an option.

Question 10

can a bad dowagers hump affect carotid artery flow?

Accepted Answer

No: A dowager's hump will not affect carotid artery flow.  Disease in the carotid artery will affect flow.

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Doctor answers about:

Pain in the carotid artery

A member asked:

Is pain in the carotid artery a sign of heart failure with frequent pvc's, faintness, fast heart rate and bloating?

A member asked:

Can 30% plaque in your carotid artery cause pain in the carotid/neck area?

A member asked:

What are the carotid arteries?

A member asked:

Can your carotid artery spasm?

A member asked:

Can statins unclog carotid arteries?

A member asked:

Could blocked carotid arteries impair vision?

A member asked:

What are symptoms of blocked carotid arteries?

A member asked:

What happens when a carotid artery gets nicked?

A member asked:

What does narrowing of the carotid artery mean?

A member asked:

Can a bad dowagers hump affect carotid artery flow?

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