Carotid Artery Screening: Understanding Your Risk Results and Next Steps

Nearly 800,000 Americans have a stroke each year. As a leading cause of disability and death, strokes are always serious. They’re also often preventable or treatable. 

Understanding your stroke risk factors can go a long way toward preserving your health, well-being, and life. Carotid artery screenings are a powerful and noninvasive way to get a sense of your risk level.

Board-certified neurologist Dr. Farhad Elyaderani and his team in New Rochelle and Yonkers, New York, offer carotid artery screenings to assess your stroke risk. He put the following information together to help you understand the process and what happens next.

How carotid artery screenings work

Carotid artery screenings, a type of ultrasound, use sound waves to detect plaque buildup in your neck arteries. Minimally invasive and completed within 30 minutes, you won’t have to worry about any pain.

During the test, you’ll lie on your back while the provider applies a special gel near each artery, then moves a handheld device over the area. Images provided by the screening reveal any narrowing or blockages – both of which can lead to strokes.

General stroke risk factors

Our team may recommend a carotid artery screening if you’re particularly vulnerable to strokes. General risk factors include:

• High blood pressure 
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Obesity
• A sedentary lifestyle
• History of heart or artery conditions

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is the largest contributing factor. Being age 55 or older also increases your likelihood of a stroke.

Your carotid artery screening results

If your carotid artery screening results are normal, it means you have no significant blockages, narrowing, or plaque buildup in your neck arteries. These are great signs of healthy blood flow.

Abnormal carotid artery screening results indicate the presence of plaque, narrowing, and/or clotting. Mild-to-moderate abnormal results mean you have less than 50% blockage. Blockages of 50% or more are considered severe.

For mildly abnormal results, we may recommend lifestyle modifications, such as a healthier diet, improved sleep hygiene, and exercise, as well as monitoring. For moderate to severe blockage, your treatment plan may include medication or a procedure, such as carotid endarterectomy, angioplasty, or placement of a stent. 

In some cases, additional imaging tests help confirm or determine arterial problems – particularly if bone prevents a full ultrasound view of your carotid artery.

Getting started with stroke prevention

Stroke prevention can not only save your life but also improve your health and quality of life by prompting healthy lifestyle changes and any necessary medical treatment. 

By leading a heart-healthy lifestyle and addressing conditions like hypertension, you can experience a range of benefits, from boosted energy levels and mood to reduced joint pain and fatigue.

It’s never too late to get started. To learn more or get a professional stroke risk assessment, call Dr. Farhad Elyaderani or request an appointment online today.