New to MyHealth?
Manage Your Care From Anywhere.
Access your health information from any device with MyHealth. You can message your clinic, view lab results, schedule an appointment, and pay your bill.
ALREADY HAVE AN ACCESS CODE?
DON'T HAVE AN ACCESS CODE?
NEED MORE DETAILS?
MyHealth for Mobile
Get the iPhone MyHealth app »
Get the Android MyHealth app »
Carotid Artery Disease Causes
Atherosclerosis and Carotid Artery Disease
Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of carotid artery disease. Atherosclerosis is when a buildup of plaque in the inner lining of the arterial wall causes the arteries to thicken and harden.
Atherosclerosis is a slow, progressive, vascular disease that may start as early as childhood. It is unknown exactly how it begins or what causes it.
The buildup that accumulates on the artery wall from atherosclerosis is called plaque. This plaque is made up of deposits of various organic materials, including:
- Muscle cells
- Fatty substances and cholesterol
- Calcium
- Cellular waste
Carotid Artery Disease Risk Factors
Certain medical conditions, habits and lifestyle choices may contribute to a higher risk for developing carotid artery disease. Having these risk factors does not guarantee that you will develop carotid artery disease, but it does mean that you should be under the care of a medical professional.
Some known risk factors for carotid artery disease include:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Family history of atherosclerosis (thickening of the arterial walls)
Effects of Carotid Artery Disease
Over time, as plaque accumulates on the artery walls, the arteries become narrowed, reducing and the amount of blood that is able to flow through them. This plaque accumulation can eventually lead to:
- Erosion of the arterial wall
- Diminished elasticity of the arterial wall
- Formation of blood clots
If left untreated, carotid artery disease can contribute to serious medical conditions such as heart attack and stroke. If you have been diagnosed with carotid artery disease, it is important that you see your doctor regularly. Learn more about carotid artery disease diagnosis.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.
Open trials refer to studies currently accepting participants. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but may open in the future.