Carotid Artery Disease

Carotid artery disease can raise your risk of stroke, but with early detection and expert care, you can lower that risk and protect your health.

photo of surgeons

Your carotid arteries — located on the sides of your neck — deliver blood to your brain. As you age, fatty deposits called plaque can build up and narrow these arteries.

At MU Health Care, we personalize treatment to your artery anatomy, medical history and personal risk factors. Our vascular surgeons offer a full range of surgical and minimally invasive options, including transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) with flow reversal, to safely restore blood flow and reduce stroke risk.

If you’re traveling from outside mid-Missouri, we’ll help coordinate your testing, appointments and follow-up to make care simpler. And, as an academic health system, we bring together specialists and research-driven expertise to deliver care tailored to you.

Our Approach to Carotid Artery Disease Care

At MU Health Care, our vascular specialists use advanced imaging and minimally invasive procedures to restore blood flow, lower stroke risk and help you stay healthy. We work with experts from different fields to ensure you receive complete care that meets all your needs.

Carotid Artery Disease Symptoms

Carotid artery disease often develops without warning signs.

For many people, the first symptom is a stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA), also called a “mini-stroke,” and requires immediate medical care.

When symptoms do appear, they may include:

Blurred or double vision
Dizziness or loss of balance
Drooping on one side of the face
Numbness or weakness in the face, arms or legs, especially on one side
Sudden confusion or trouble speaking
Trouble understanding speech

When to Call Your Doctor

If you notice sudden changes in speech, vision, balance or strength, call 911 right away. These may be signs of a stroke or TIA.

Even if symptoms go away quickly, it’s important to be evaluated, as a TIA can be an early warning sign of a future stroke.

Carotid Artery Disease Risk Factors

Several conditions can raise your risk of plaque buildup in the carotid arteries, including:

Diabetes
Family history of carotid artery disease
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Smoking

If you have one or more of these risk factors, talk with your doctor about whether screening is right for you.

How We Diagnose Carotid Artery Disease

Our vascular surgeons lead your care, collaborating with cardiologists and other specialists to evaluate your risk and plan next steps.

We start by reviewing your health history and any symptoms, such as vision changes, weakness or a prior stroke or TIA (mini-stroke).

To diagnose carotid artery disease, we may recommend:

Cardiac stress testing: Evaluates your heart health before any procedures, if needed.
Doppler ultrasound: A noninvasive test uses sound waves to check blood flow and identify narrowing or blockages.
High-resolution CT angiogram: Provides detailed 3D images of your arteries and any narrowing.

We also offer telehealth visits to review imaging results and coordinate care, helping you avoid long travel when possible. If you already had imaging done elsewhere, we’ll review those results to streamline your next steps.

How We Treat Carotid Artery Disease

Treatment depends on how much plaque is in your carotid arteries and your risk for stroke. At MU Health Care, we tailor care to your artery anatomy, overall health and personal goals.

Our vascular surgeons offer the full spectrum of treatments and work with you to choose the most effective option for your needs.

Nonsurgical Options

If the narrowing in your carotid arteries is mild or doesn’t yet require surgery, your doctor may recommend:

Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and managing blood pressure and cholesterol.
Medications that reduce stroke risk and prevent further plaque buildup.
Regular ultrasound monitoring to track changes in your arteries over time.

Carotid Artery Procedures We Offer

When surgery is needed to open a narrowed artery, our surgeons choose an approach that best fits your needs.

We offer:

Carotid endarterectomy (CEA): An open surgery that removes plaque through a small incision in the neck. Often preferred when arteries are heavily calcified and stents may not perform well.
Transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR): A minimally invasive stenting procedure done through a small incision in the neck. During the procedure, blood flow is temporarily reversed to reduce stroke risk while the stent is placed. MU Health Care was among the first in Missouri to offer TCAR. Our stroke rate is about 0.5 percent — well below national averages — making TCAR an effective choice for many patients.
Transfemoral carotid artery stenting (TFCAS): A catheter-based stenting approach done through the femoral artery, used in select cases based on your anatomy and risk factors. If you have a minimally invasive procedure for carotid artery disease, you may be able to go home within one to two days. Recovery from open surgery may take longer.

Coordinated, Convenient Care

If you live outside mid-Missouri, we do our best to get you the care you need in as few trips as possible.

We often schedule same-day, multispecialty appointments so you can complete imaging, meet with your care team and plan treatment all in one visit.

We also streamline care by:

Connecting you with a nurse navigator or care coordinator (and nurse practitioner when needed).
Coordinating with device manufacturers to minimize extra appointments before procedures.
Offering telehealth when appropriate for follow-up and imaging review.
Reviewing outside imaging ahead of time to avoid duplicate testing.