The carotid arteries are critical to your health, as they deliver oxygen-rich blood to the brain and head. These arteries are located on both sides of your neck. When these arteries become narrowed due to plaque buildup, it increases the risk of stroke. When a stroke occurs, the brain does not receive the oxygen it needs, triggering cell death which can result in a stroke. A carotid stenting procedure is performed to treat this condition. You may need this procedure after suffering a “transient ischemic attack” or “TIA,” often called a “mini-stroke.”
Carotid artery stenosis treatment: Carotid stenting
If you suffer from the symptoms of carotid artery stenosis—the medical term for a narrowing of the carotid arteries—you may suffer from several uncomfortable symptoms:
- Vision problems in one or both eyes
- Sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the face or body
- Trouble speaking or understanding
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Severe headache
- Loss of function to a body area
- Stroke
If you have any of these symptoms or have experienced them recently, you must get your condition diagnosed, as a TIA is often a sign that you are at risk of suffering a more serious stroke. At San Diego Cardiac Center, we offer a wide array of advanced diagnostic tools to assist you in discovering the cause of your symptoms before they worsen. After coronary artery stenosis is diagnosed, you are advised to undergo treatment without delay. You may be scheduled for coronary artery stenting, and our team of heart specialists can help. In some cases, medication is all that is needed, with close monitoring.
