Carotid endarterectomy can reduce your risk of stroke
Blood travels to your brain through two carotid arteries on each side of your neck. Over time, plaque buildup can narrow the arteries and reduce or block blood flow to your brain. This condition, called carotid artery disease or carotid artery stenosis, increases your risk of experiencing a stroke.
A type of vascular surgery called carotid endarterectomy can be used to treat carotid artery disease and significantly reduce your risk of a stroke. It can also help prevent future strokes if you’ve ever had a stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA), also known as a mini-stroke.
Treating carotid artery disease with carotid endarterectomy
A type of peripheral artery disease, carotid artery disease, occurs when atherosclerosis—the buildup of plaque in the arteries—narrows or blocks the carotids, leading to a stroke by disrupting blood flow to the brain. In other cases, if a blood clot forms from plaque in a carotid artery, it may break away and block an artery in the brain, which can cause a stroke.
During a carotid endarterectomy procedure, your surgeon removes the plaque in the arteries to restore blood flow to the brain and help reduce your risk of future strokes.
Benefits of carotid endarterectomy
Treatments for carotid artery disease improve blood flow to your brain and reduce your risk of having a stroke.
You can improve the results of your carotid endarterectomy and further reduce your risk of stroke by making the following healthy lifestyle changes after your procedure:
- Eat a heart-healthy diet
- Exercise regularly
- Quit smoking
Find a location near you
If you need a carotid endarterectomy, you can trust the expertise of our teams at specialized locations across Central and North Texas. After your surgery, you can receive comprehensive follow-up care at one of our many convenient locations.
