Get Expert Care for Carotid Artery Diseases and Signs of Stroke. Call Us at (973) 540-9700 to Schedule a Consultation at Your Nearest Location. We are Open 5 Days a Week, Monday-Friday 8am-5pm.
At Advanced Vascular Associates, we are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of carotid artery disease. Your carotid arteries are the two large blood vessels in your neck that supply your brain with oxygen. When one or both become narrowed or blocked by plaque, you have carotid artery disease. Plaque builds up as a result of atherosclerosis.
Carotid artery disease is a major risk factor for stroke, which occurs when there is an interruption in blood flow to part of the brain. This interruption is caused by a piece of plaque blocking a carotid artery, or a weakened carotid vessel bursting and bleeding into the surrounding area. When the stroke is caused by a blockage it is called an ischemic stroke (almost 90 percent of all strokes are ischemic) and when it is caused by bleeding it is called a hemorrhagic stroke. A stroke is dangerous because if your brain doesn’t receive oxygen for even a few minutes, there can be long-lasting damage. People who have had a stroke often experience loss of memory, balance, movement ability, or speech.
Signs of Stroke Include:
- Numbness/Tingling/ difficulty moving an arm or leg
- Trouble swallowing or speaking
- Partial or complete vision loss
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness or falling down
- Feeling tired
Advanced Vascular Associates provides the most advanced imaging and treatment options for carotid artery disease and stroke. We may suggest medication or a procedure to clear plaque from the affected artery(ies). The two main procedures are angioplasty stenting and carotid endarterectomy. Angioplasty and stenting is a minimally invasive procedure, meaning only a tiny incision is needed. Your surgeon threads a long, thin tube called a catheter with a balloon on the tip through the incision up to the narrowed carotid artery. The balloon is then inflated gently, thereby opening the vessel. Afterward, we insert a tiny mesh metal tube called a stent to help keep the artery open. For endarterectomy, an incision is made in your neck and the plaque is surgically removed. You, your doctor, and your family will talk through the options and come to a decision about which treatment is best for your unique situation.
Rest assured that our highly trained team will take good care of you and your family. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with questions or concerns.
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