JAMA Patient Page: Testing for Carotid Stenosis
The internal carotid arteries are 2 major blood vessels (one on each side of the neck) that deliver blood to the brain. Just like the coronary arteries of the heart, the carotid arteries can become unhealthy when there is a buildup of plaque (a collection of cholesterol, calcium, and other materials) inside them. This plaque buildup causes a narrowing of the blood vessels, called stenosis. Over time, this narrowing can lead to problems with the blood supply to the brain, which can result in a stroke.
Conditions that increase one’s risk of having carotid stenosis are smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. http://ja.ma/1wRx9M9
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