Carotid artery disease - self-care
The carotid arteries provide the main blood supply to the brain. They are located on each side of your neck. You can feel their pulse under your jawline.
Carotid artery stenosis means the carotid arteries become narrowed or blocked. This can lead to a stroke.
Whether or not your health care provider recommended surgery to unblock narrowed arteries, medicines and lifestyle changes can:
Making certain changes to your diet and exercise habits can help treat carotid artery disease. These healthy changes can also help you maintain a healthy weight and manage high blood pressure and cholesterol.
Be more active.
Stop smoking, if you smoke. Quitting reduces your risk of stroke. Talk with your provider about quit-smoking programs.
If lifestyle changes do not lower your cholesterol and blood pressure enough, medicines may be prescribed.
These medicines can have side effects. If you notice side effects, be sure to tell your doctor. Your doctor may change the dose or type of medicine you take to help reduce side effects. Never stop taking medicines or take less medicine without talking to your provider first.
Your provider will want to monitor you and see how well your treatment is working. At these visits, your provider may:
You may also have imaging tests done to see if the blockages in your carotid arteries are becoming worse.
Having carotid artery disease puts you at risk for stroke. If you think you have symptoms of stroke, go to the emergency room or call 911 or the local emergency number immediately. Symptoms of a stroke include:
Get help as soon as symptoms occur. The sooner you receive treatment, the better your chance for recovery. With a stroke, every second of delay can result in more brain injury.
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Cameron J. Vascular surgery. In: Cameron J, ed. Current Surgical Therapy. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:16.
Goldstein LB. Ischemic cerebrovascular disease. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 376.
Naylor AR, McCabe DJH. Cerebrovascular disease: decision making including optimal medical therapy. In: Sidawy AN, Perler BA, eds. Rutherford's Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 92.
BACK TO TOPReview Date: 2/27/2024
Reviewed By: Thomas S. Metkus, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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06/01/2025
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