What is a carodid artery?!
Question: If it's in the brain and it's compromised in some way, does it mean you'll die? Have a stroke? Anorism? I'm just curious.... Dr's said I had a tumor resting a hair lenght away from my carodid artery. I'm on a RX now.... But it's still scary and I wonder what COULD have happened to me.
Answers: If it's in the brain and it's compromised in some way, does it mean you'll die? Have a stroke? Anorism? I'm just curious.... Dr's said I had a tumor resting a hair lenght away from my carodid artery. I'm on a RX now.... But it's still scary and I wonder what COULD have happened to me.
The Carotid artery is the major artery of the neck and head that supplies blood to the brain. A tumor could grow to such a size that it would impede blood carrying vital oxygen to the brain, and could cause both stroke and heart attack. Feel blessed and grateful that you didn't have it on the artery itself...you get to live...a dear friend of mine didn't. Not because of a tumor, but that there was so much plaque build up in both sides of the neck, it starved him the necessary blood and oxygen and he stroked out. You my dear are very lucky! I did give you two websites to browse if you really still want to read up on what could have been, but wasn't...so I would just count my lucky stars and get on with good livin'!
Hugs and smiles, Pami
Carotid Artery Stenosis
What is carotid artery stenosis or carotid artery disease?
Carotid artery stenosis is the narrowing of the carotid arteries. These are the main arteries in the neck that supply blood to the brain. Carotid artery stenosis, also called carotid artery disease, is a major risk factor for ischemic stroke. (This is the most common form of stroke and is usually caused by a blood clot plugging an artery.)
The narrowing is usually caused by plaque in a blood vessel. Plaque forms when cholesterol, fat and other substances build up in the inner lining of an artery. This process is called atherosclerosis.
How is carotid artery stenosis diagnosed?
Carotid artery stenosis may or may not cause symptoms. A doctor may hear an abnormal sound called a bruit (BROO'e) when listening to the artery with a stethoscope. The stenosis can be easily detected with an ultrasound probe placed on the side of the neck near the carotid arteries. This is called carotid ultrasonography.
How is carotid artery stenosis treated?
Depending on the degree of stenosis and the patient's overall condition, carotid artery stenosis can usually be treated with surgery. The procedure is called carotid endarterectomy. It removes the plaque that caused the carotid artery to narrow. Carotid endarterectomy has proven to benefit patients with arteries stenosed (narrowed) by 70 percent or more. For people with arteries narrowed less than 50 percent, anti-clotting medicine is usually prescribed to reduce the risk of ischemic stroke. Examples of these drugs are antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants.
Carotid angioplasty may be another treatment option. It uses balloons and/or stents to open a narrowed artery.
You have two carotid arteries in each side of your neck leading to your head. About midway up the neck, both carotid arteries split into an internal and external carotid artery.
What kind of tumor do you have and where is it located in your body?
The caratoid artery is in both sides of the neck. I'm sorry you are so scared but I sure do understand why. You need to talk to your Dr. and get all the answers to your questions. You may have to do what I do and write them down. I am so sorry you are going through this. God bless you. HUGS FOR YOU.