Question 1

what does it mean if i have total occlusion of the carotid artery?

Accepted Answer

Total Occlusion: Total Occlusion means that it is completely blocked and no blood can flow through it.  That is very bad.  The brain is where the blood is going!

If you have disease in any artery, you probably have disease in other arteries.   Inflammation is one of the main causes.

Question 2

can tias over time be caused by temporary or partial occlusion of vertebral or carotid arteries and cause foci or lesions?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Tia's are short-lived, about 20-30- minutes and usually fully reverse.  If not, it is a stroke with tissue damage, and then can be seen on an mri.  The event heralds risk, and preventative treatment with an antiplatelet drug should be started.  An embolism from say the heart or aorta, may need anti-coagulation.  The greatest future risk of TIA is a stroke within one year.

Question 3

can a 3 mm thyroid nodule cause carotid artery occlusion?

Accepted Answer

No: The answer is a simple no. I wish you good health!

Question 4

i entered wrong size on original question. can a 3 cm  thyroid nodule cause carotid artery occlusion?

Accepted Answer

Unlikely: I found 1 case report of a 93 yo m with a 1.4cm thyroid nodule adjacent to the carotid that displaced it but did not compress it, leading to TIA symptoms. I would venture to say that occlusion would be impossible as a nodule can't weigh or exert nearly enough pressure on the carotid. (fyi, if you look up this case study, the actual report contradicts the title claiming compression of the carotid.).

Question 5

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 6

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 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:

Total occlusion of carotid artery

A member asked:

What does it mean if i have total occlusion of the carotid artery?

A member asked:

Can tias over time be caused by temporary or partial occlusion of vertebral or carotid arteries and cause foci or lesions?

A member asked:

Can a 3 mm thyroid nodule cause carotid artery occlusion?

A member asked:

I entered wrong size on original question. can a 3 cm thyroid nodule cause carotid artery occlusion?

A member asked:

Can your carotid artery spasm?

A member asked:

Can statins unclog carotid arteries?

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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