• MedStar Heart and Vascular Institute
  • Doctors
  • Appointments
  • Conditions & Treatments
  • Locations
  • Search
  • Menu
Don’t delay your care! Call 888-354-3422 to schedule a video visit with a specialist today!

Find a doctor or specialist that meet your needs

Need Help? Email [email protected]

Close Menu
    • Find a Doctor
    • Find a Location
    • Request an Appointment
 

Newsroom

For Patients

  • Conditions & Treatments
  • Programs and Services
  • Patient Resources
  • Why Choose Us
  • Ways to Give

For Medical Professionals

  • Careers
  • Educational Opportunities
  • Publications and Case Studies
  • Research
arrow_back Conditions & Treatments

Carotid Artery Disease

Call for an appointment or referral
888-354-3422

email Email a Question
menu Carotid Artery Disease
  • Overview
    • Tests
    • Treatments
    • Physicians
  • Overview arrow_forward
  • Tests arrow_forward
  • Treatments arrow_forward
  • Physicians arrow_forward

Risk factors and symptoms of a condition responsible for most strokes

Expert Heart & Vascular Care

Getting the care you need starts with seeing one of our heart or vascular specialists.

Request an Appointment

The carotid arteries are the two large blood vessels in your neck that supply the brain with blood. Carotid artery disease, also known as carotid artery stenosis, occurs when fatty deposits known as plaque cause the carotid arteries to narrow or become blocked.

When the blood supply to your brain is reduced, it can lead to a stroke. In fact, blocked carotid arteries are responsible for more than half of all strokes.

What are the symptoms of carotid artery disease?

This condition develops slowly, and unfortunately, the first sign of it may be a stroke.

Carotid artery disease can cause a transient ischemic attack (TIA), which is a temporary shortage of blood flow to the brain and often called a “mini-stroke.” Symptoms of TIA include sudden:

  • Loss of control or movement of an arm or leg
  • Trouble speaking clearly
  • Weakness, numbness or tingling on one side of the body
  • Vision loss in one or both eyes

Seek emergency care if you experience any of these symptoms. If you have a TIA, it may indicate you are at risk for a full-blown stroke.

What are the risk factors of carotid artery disease?

Some risk factors that have been associated with the development of plaque buildup, known as atherosclerosis, that can lead to carotid artery disease include:

  • Age (the risk of atherosclerosis increases as we age)
  • Diabetes
  • Family history of atherosclerosis
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Obesity
  • Tobacco use

Tests

Angiogram (Angiography)

An angiogram is a special X-ray taken as a special dye is injected through a thin, flexible tube called a catheter to detect blockages or aneurysms in blood vessels.

Carotid Duplex Ultrasound

Carotid duplex ultrasound uses Doppler and traditional ultrasound to assess blood flow in the arteries that supply blood to your brain.

Treatments

In cases of mild to moderate carotid artery disease, lifestyle modifications such as quitting smoking or medications such as aspirin and anti-cholesterol drugs can prevent the disease from progressing. In more severe cases, your doctor may recommend a procedure to reopen the carotid artery in order to lower the risk of stroke.

Carotid Artery Disease Treatments

Carotid artery disease may be slowed or treated through lifestyle changes, medication, endarterectomy or angioplasty and stenting.

Physicians

View all arrow_forward
20 Doctors & Specialists
Dr. Suzanne Siefert Kool, MD
Dr. Suzanne Siefert Kool, MD
Vascular Surgery
(182)
5601 Loch Raven Boulevard GSH SMYTH BLDG Baltimore, MD 21239
(410) 554-2950
View Profile
Schedule Appointment
Dr. Ayesha Nzeribe Hatch, MD
Dr. Ayesha Nzeribe Hatch, MD
Vascular Surgery
106 Irving Street Northwest Suite NW Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-3100
View Profile
Request Appointment
Dr. Joshua A. Dearing, MD
Dr. Joshua A. Dearing, MD
Vascular Surgery
(193)
7501 Surratts Road 208 Clinton, MD 20735
301-877-7353
View Profile
Request Appointment
Dr. Jason Andrew Chin, MD
Dr. Jason Andrew Chin, MD
Vascular Surgery
5601 Loch Raven Boulevard Smyth Bldg Ste 303 Baltimore, MD 21239
(443) 444-3431
View Profile
Schedule Appointment
Dr. Stephen Fulvio Stanziale, MD
Dr. Stephen Fulvio Stanziale, MD
Vascular Surgery
(282)
9101 Franklin Square Drive Outpatient Center, Suite 212 Baltimore, MD 21237
(443)-777-1900
View Profile
Schedule Appointment
Dr. Steven David Abramowitz, MD
Dr. Steven David Abramowitz, MD
Vascular Surgery
(237)
106 Irving Street Northwest Suite 3150 Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-0275
View Profile
Request Appointment
Dr. Mark O'Brien Peeler, MD
Dr. Mark O'Brien Peeler, MD
Vascular Surgery
(469)
2002 Medical Parkway Suite 520 Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 571-8430
View Profile
Request Appointment
Dr. Margaret Walkup Arnold, MD
Dr. Margaret Walkup Arnold, MD
Vascular Surgery
9000 Franklin Square Drive Baltimore, MD 21237
View Profile
Schedule Appointment
Dr. Arthur Flatau, III, MD
Dr. Arthur Flatau, III, MD
Vascular Surgery
(316)
25500 Point Lookout Road Floor 2 Leonardtown, MD 20650
(240) 434-4072
View Profile
Request Appointment
Dr. Edward Yiming Woo, MD
Dr. Edward Yiming Woo, MD
Vascular Surgery
(239)
106 Irving Street Northwest Physician Office Building North Tower, Suite 3150 Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-0275
View Profile
Schedule Appointment
Dr. Jason Ryan Crowner, MD
Dr. Jason Ryan Crowner, MD
Vascular Surgery
5601 Loch Raven Boulevard GSH SMYTH BLDG Baltimore, MD 21239
View Profile
Schedule Appointment
Dr. Raghuveer Vallabhaneni, MD
Dr. Raghuveer Vallabhaneni, MD
Vascular Surgery
(179)
3333 North Calvert Street Johnston Professional Building Baltimore, MD 21218
(410) 554-2950
View Profile
Schedule Appointment
Dr. Cameron M. Akbari, MD, MBA
Dr. Cameron M. Akbari, MD, MBA
Vascular Surgery
(278)
106 Irving Street Northwest Suite 3600 Washington, DC 20010
(202) 444-2255
View Profile
Schedule Appointment
Dr. Krystal C. Maloni, MD
Dr. Krystal C. Maloni, MD
Vascular Surgery
110 Irving Street Northwest Center for Vascular Care Washington, DC 20010
202-416-2000
View Profile
Request Appointment
Dr. Kevin Arthur Brown, MD
Dr. Kevin Arthur Brown, MD
Vascular Surgery
2002 Medical Parkway Suite 520 Annapolis, MD 21401
410-571-8430
View Profile
Request Appointment
Dr. Misaki Mikki Kiguchi, MD
Dr. Misaki Mikki Kiguchi, MD
Vascular Surgery
(364)
3800 Reservoir Road Northwest 4th Floor Washington, DC 20007
(202) 444-2255
View Profile
Schedule Appointment
Dr. Lucy B. Kupersmith, MD
Dr. Lucy B. Kupersmith, MD
Vascular Surgery
1630 Main Street Suite 208 Chester, MD 21619
(410) 571-8430
View Profile
Request Appointment
Dr. Javairiah Fatima, MD
Dr. Javairiah Fatima, MD
Vascular Surgery
18101 Prince Philip Drive Olney, MD 20832
(301) 774-8962
View Profile
Schedule Appointment
Dr. John Harvey, MD
Dr. John Harvey, MD
Vascular Surgery
(267)
24035 Three Notch Road Hollywood, MD 20636
(301) 373-7900
View Profile
Request Appointment
Dr. Geetha Jeyabalan, MD
Dr. Geetha Jeyabalan, MD
Vascular Surgery
(268)
2002 Medical Parkway Suite 520 Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 571-8430
View Profile
Request Appointment
loading
Download our Cardiovascular Performance & Outcomes Booklet!
Download
  • Find a Doctor 
  • Find a Location location_on
  • Request an Appointment today
  • myMedStar lock
  • Don't Show Again Close close
     
     Don't show this to me again
     
    Top vertical_align_top   Quick Tools
     

    MEDSTARHEALTH.ORG

    Request an Appointment
    Call for an appointment or referral
    888-354-3422
    Patients & Visitors
    • Patients & Visitors
      • Doctors
      • Locations
      • Programs and Services
      • Conditions & Treatments
      • myMedStar
      • Patient Resources
      • Patient Stories
      • About Us
      • Why Choose Us
    Medical Professionals
    • Medical Professionals
      • Careers
      • Educational Opportunities
      • Resources
    Research & Resources
    • Research & Resources
      • Cleveland Clinic Alliance
      • Clinical Trials Research
      • Innovations
      • Resources
      • Research and Innovations
    Ways to Give Back
    • Give Back
    Stay Connected

    Stay Connected

    Ride With Uber | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Feedback © 2019 MEDSTAR HEALTH