Your carotid arteries are a pair of blood vessels inside the neck that deliver blood to your brain and head. Carotid artery disease results from the build-up of waxy deposits, called plaques, over the inner surface of the arteries. These plaques can eventually reduce or block the blood supply to your brain and may lead to a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), also known as “mini-stroke”, which occurs when a blood clot temporarily blocks an artery that supplies blood to the brain.
Carotid artery disease is responsible for 20 − 30% of all strokes. The treatment may include a combination of lifestyle changes, medication and, in some cases, surgery.