Question 1

pulse in my head. is this indicative of carotid artery disease?

Accepted Answer

No: Carotid artery disease usually become symptomatic when an embolus or clot goes to the brain and cause stroke or mini stroke . Hearing pulse in the head does not indicate the presence or absence of disease.

Question 2

is there anything that can cause pain to shoot trough the carotid artery in the neck to the head?

Accepted Answer

Nerve pain: Cannot imagine that pain goes through an artery, though nerves do travel in similar paths.  Possibly a trapped nerve in your upper back is causing the shooting pain.  Seek pain management advice, or neurology.  My be that a steroid injection (seek a physician who is comfortable with neck injections - not all are) would help, or you may need surgery as a last resort.  An MRI may be in your future..

Question 3

i can hear my heartbeat in my head. is this indicative of carotid artery disease?

Accepted Answer

NO.: The carotid artery in the neck forks into two branches at the ear level.  Just as in a river fork, flow at the fork is turbulent. This turbulence is what some people hear, even though there may be no narrowing in the artery. Next time you see your doctor have him/her listen over the carotid artery. If there is a bruit (swishing noise) there, an ultrasound study should be obtained.

Question 4

can newborns tear their carotid artery by turning their bodies one way and neck and head another direction really fast a few times?

Accepted Answer

No : Carotid artery injury in neonates is very rare but has been reported when associated with a traumatic delivery with excessive pulling on the head and neck or with forceps delivery.   Injury in older children and adults is reported with blunt trauma to the neck, but  not with normal movement. Fortunately, the carotid artery is quite durable and supported by the neck muscles and other soft tissue.

Question 5

when lying on left side i see and feel pulsation betweensternal head and between jugular notch on the right side only this is carotid artery? normal?

Accepted Answer

Could be: carotid or another major vessel or aneurysm.  Only way to know for sure is by careful physical exam and sometimes imaging such as ultrasound, CT, or MR.  Show it to your doctor to be sure.

Question 6

i am a hypochondriac and i am really scared my carotid artery hurts there a knot in it it has spasms and my neck and face on that side are numb ?

Accepted Answer

Don't settle for it: You declare being a hypochondriac as if that's been settled. Please don't accept a lifetime of it. It will be costly in many ways.  Seek psychotherapy to learn how to think differently and meet your needs and hopes in better ways. Find someone you trust. Best!

Question 7

my left carotid artery hurts and pounds terribly strong it spasms a lot anspd face neck numb on that side. scared i have carotid anurysm help me ?

Accepted Answer

Aneurysm doubtful: An aneurysm is very unlikely. You may have an inflammatory condition or vasculitis. Generally, arteries don't hurt unless inflamed. An ultrasound would be the first step. Make an appointment with a vascular surgeon, but, you will not likely need surgery.

Question 8

i have to jave a ultrasound of my carotid artery. what would be wrong with carotid if it causes swelling of left sife of neck amd face?

Accepted Answer

More of a vein prob: The artery takes blood from the heart to the brain, the veins drain the blood from the brain back to the heart. If there is something blocking the return flow (the vein) then the increased pressure in the vein makes some fluid leak into the surrounding tissues. Also, the lymph channels drain down and those can get blocked and cause swelling. Many things can cause this, be sure to get all the tests.

Question 9

ok so i'm scared i'm not very active i do eat a lot if bad foods.my left carotid  artery hurts really bad and so doesx my head neck and face are numb?

Accepted Answer

See a neurologist: for neurological examination, labs, imaging and diagnosis. This is a serious medical condition and evaluation by a neurologist is warranted.

Question 10

fell & hit head/neck on stair edge. experiencing pcs. right internal carotid artery shows elevated sys/dias & no plaque. caused by trauma or unrelated?

Accepted Answer

Is cause clear?: I presume this is based on ultrasound testing. How high is elevated sys/dis? What cause was seen? While plaque is not trauma related, other causes can be-e.g. carotid dissection or compression by hematoma, etc. If velocity elevation is severe more imaging may be warranted (CT or MRA). Hope this helps.

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Doctor answers about:

Spasms in carotid artery and face

A member asked:

Pulse in my head. is this indicative of carotid artery disease?

A member asked:

Is there anything that can cause pain to shoot trough the carotid artery in the neck to the head?

A member asked:

I can hear my heartbeat in my head. is this indicative of carotid artery disease?

A member asked:

Can newborns tear their carotid artery by turning their bodies one way and neck and head another direction really fast a few times?

A member asked:

When lying on left side i see and feel pulsation betweensternal head and between jugular notch on the right side only this is carotid artery? normal?

A member asked:

I am a hypochondriac and i am really scared my carotid artery hurts there a knot in it it has spasms and my neck and face on that side are numb ?

A member asked:

My left carotid artery hurts and pounds terribly strong it spasms a lot anspd face neck numb on that side. scared i have carotid anurysm help me ?

A member asked:

I have to jave a ultrasound of my carotid artery. what would be wrong with carotid if it causes swelling of left sife of neck amd face?

A member asked:

Ok so i'm scared i'm not very active i do eat a lot if bad foods.my left carotid artery hurts really bad and so doesx my head neck and face are numb?

A member asked:

Fell & hit head/neck on stair edge. experiencing pcs. right internal carotid artery shows elevated sys/dias & no plaque. caused by trauma or unrelated?

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