* Excessive Smoking
* High content of fat and cholesterol in the blood
* Increased blood pressure
* Diabetes and uncontrolled blood sugar

During natural healing plaque may build up in the arteries. The plaque may tend to crack and get dislodged. Blood cells called platelets stick to the injured lining of the artery and may clump together to form blood clots.

The buildup of plaque or blood clots can severely narrow or block the carotid arteries which limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your brain and could lead to a stroke.

Symptoms

The procedure may be used to treat symptoms of carotid artery blockage, such as:

• Weakness of the arm, leg, or face on one side of the body
• Inability to move the arm, leg, or face on one side of the body (paralysis)
• Numbness, tingling, or noticeable change in the sensation of the arm, leg, or face on one side of the body
• Difficulty swallowing
• Loss of all or part of vision (blindness) in one eye
• Slurred speech or inability to speak
• Dizziness (vertigo)
• Confusion, fainting, or coma
• Stroke with complete recovery (TIA)
• Severe blockage without any symptoms at all

Each side of the neck has an artery called the common carotid artery that splits into two branches; the internal branch, which brings oxygen-rich blood to the brain, and the external branch, which brings blood to the face.

Blockage of the internal carotid artery can reduce blood supply to the brain, which could lead to a stroke. When the internal carotid arteries become blocked by fat and cholesterol build-up, atherosclerosis can result.

The plaque slowly begins to block the flow of blood which is enough to cause a stroke. In addition, it can have an abnormal blood flow that will lead to a blood clot. A clot can stay at the site of narrowing and prevent blood flow to all of the smaller arteries it supplies. This type of clot, which doesn't travel, is called a thrombus. In other cases, the clot can travel and wedge into a smaller vessel. A clot that travels is called an embolism.

If you develop a thrombus in the internal carotid artery or an embolism in a smaller blood vessel, you may experience symptoms such as blurred vision, slurred speech, or weakness (all signs of stroke).

By restoring adequate blood flow to the internal carotid artery, strokes can be prevented. This may be accomplished either by a surgery called endarterectomy or a procedure known as angioplasty with stent placement. Traditionally used for the heart, this latter procedure is now being used on blood vessels to the brain as well. Stent placement is an alternative to surgery that enlarges the blockage in the artery. This new technique must only be performed by an experienced physician.

During the procedure, there are steps the surgeon takes to reduce the risk of stroke from the operation. These include shunting (using a plastic tube to re-route blood flow to the brain), EEG monitoring, or even doing the operation under local anesthetic so the patient can talk to the surgeon. Usually, however, general anesthesia is used, which allows the patient to be unconscious and pain free.

Surgery should also be done for those who have carotid artery blockages which cut off between 75-99% of blood flow through this major artery. Large studies have shown that for people with such severe blockages, even if they have no symptoms at all, the risk of stroke is reduced with surgery.

If the blockage is complete (100%), however, surgery will not be performed because the risk of stroke and significant brain damage from the procedure is too great.

X-ray studies using special dyes (carotid angiogram) can show the degree of blockage of the carotid arteries. Other studies that can visualize blockages in the carotid arteries are ultrasound and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA).

Additional risks of carotid surgery include Blood clots, damage to the Brain, Strokes or even Heart attacks.

Carotid artery surgery usually helps prevent further brain damage and reduces the risk of stroke. However, unless lifestyle changes (like diet and exercise when approved by your physician) are made, plaque buildup, clot formation, and other problems in the carotid arteries can return.

After surgery, you are usually observed overnight to watch for any signs of bleeding, stroke, or compromised blood flow to the brain. However, there is a recent trend to send the patient home the same day, if the operation is done early and the patient is doing well.

The other Neurology Treatment procedures are:

• Brachial Plexus Surgery
  
• Brain Surgery
  
• Cranioplasty … etc

Few Major Hospitals for Carotid Artery Surgery are:

• Wockhardt Hospitals
  
• Apollo Hospitals
  
• Max Healthcare
  
• Piyavate Hospital
  
• Florence Nightingale Hospital
  

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