Carotid Artery Disease

Carotid Artery Disease is a serious vascular condition that can significantly increase your risk of stroke. At Oracle Heart & Vascular, our experienced cardiologists, interventional specialists and our vascular surgeon provide comprehensive, patient-centered care to diagnose, monitor and treat carotid artery disease. As your vascular experts, we are here to help you live stroke-free.

The carotid arteries are the major blood vessels on each side of the neck that supply oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the brain. They play a critical role in maintaining healthy brain function.

Carotid artery disease occurs when fatty plaque and calcium build up inside the carotid arteries, narrowing the vessels and restricting blood flow. If this buildup becomes severe, it can lead to a blockage or cause plaque to break free, traveling to the brain and resulting in a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), also known as a “mini-stroke.”

Early detection and treatment are essential to reducing stroke risk and preserving long-term neurological health. A TIA or stroke is a medical emergency. Even if your symptoms seem to resolve quickly, immediate evaluation is extremely important.

Use the acronym FAST to determine if a stroke is occurring. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call 911 immediately:

F – Face drooping: One side of the face appears weak or numb
A – Arm weakness: Sudden weakness or numbness in one arm
S – Speech difficulty: Slurred or difficulty speaking
T – Time to call 911: Treatment is time-sensitive

Several factors contribute to the development of carotid artery disease and the build up of plaque in the arteries, including:

At Oracle Heart & Vascular, we use advanced diagnostic tools to accurately assess carotid artery health. These tools may include:

Your Oracle Heart & Vascular provider will determine the most appropriate treatment based on factors such as the degree of narrowing and your overall health. All treatment decisions are made collaboratively and with careful consideration of your personal safety and effectiveness.

Mild to moderate narrowing (less than ~80%) is often managed with close monitoring with routine ultrasounds and medication therapy. Severe narrowing (greater than ~80%) may require intervention.

Treatment options for carotid artery disease may include:

Prevention plays a powerful role in heart health and stroke prevention. To protect your brain, heart and maintain good overall health, our team encourages patients to:

We are committed to protecting your vascular health and your future through proactive, expert vascular care. Our board certified cardiologists and interventional specialists provide vascular surgery expertise using advanced on-site diagnostic imaging and performing minimally invasive procedures at the Oracle Procedural Suite on an outpatient basis whenever possible. With two locations in Fredericksburg and King George, Virginia, we offer compassionate, patient-centered vascular care at every step.

Strokes can happen in an instant. If you have risk factors for stroke, early evaluation can be lifesaving. Request your appointment at Oracle Heart & Vascular today for your comprehensive clinical evaluation with our vascular experts.