Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder in which plaque composed of lipids, cells, connective tissue and calcium is deposited in arteries throughout the body. Atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries--the large arteries in the neck supplying blood to the head--is called carotid artery disease. Blockage of the carotid artery by atherosclerosis is a cause of stroke, the third leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the American Heart Association. Symptoms of carotid artery disease may not be present, as reported by Sobieszczyk and Beckman in the August 2006 issue of the journal Circulation, until carotid artery blockage is significant enough to disrupt blood flow to the brain. There are two carotid arteries, one on each side of the neck. The main carotid artery divides into the external and internal carotid arteries. Symptoms of carotid artery obstruction differ based on where in the carotid artery system the blockage is and what part of the brain is affected.
Internal Carotid Artery Blockage Symptoms
The Cleveland Clinic reports that the internal carotid artery supplies oxygenated blood to the structures inside the skull, including parts of the brain controlling cognition, communication, coordination, movement and sensation. Symptoms of internal carotid artery blockage include a sudden inability to move or feel one or more limbs; trouble understanding or communicating; visual difficulties in one or both eyes; dizziness; loss of balance; difficulty swallowing; or sudden, severe headache.
External Carotid Artery Blockage Symptoms
The external carotid artery, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute supplies blood to the face, scalp and neck. Symptoms of external carotid artery blockage include numbness, tingling and weakness of the face or scalp, particularly involving only one side. It is rare for obstruction of the external carotid artery to occur without involvement of the internal carotid artery and symptoms of internal carotid artery disease may be present.
Signficance of Symptoms
Symptoms of internal or external carotid artery blockage, or both, suggesting obstruction of the main carotid artery trunk, that resolve within 24 hours are characteristic of a transient ischemic attack, sometimes called a mini-stroke. Although symptoms resolve, people who experience a transient ischemic attack are 10 times more likely to experience a major stroke than those who have never had such an event, according to the Cleveland Clinic. When sudden symptoms of carotid artery blockage appear, prompt medical care should be sought. Strokes can sometimes be stopped with medicines, but only if patients seek help within the first few hours of symptom onset.
