The early symptoms of a blocked artery in your neck are temporary weakness or numbness in your arm, face or leg on one side of the body, blurred vision, headache, difficulty swallowing and a possible transient ischemic attack or mini stroke.
A blocked artery in your neck is also known as carotid artery disease.
Carotid artery disease occurs when fatty deposits that are known as plaque builds up in your carotid arteries.
The carotid arteries supply blood to your brain and when the buildup of plaque blocks and narrows the arteries it reduces blood flow to your brain and can lead to a stroke.
Common causes of carotid artery disease or a blocked artery in the neck are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hardening of the arteries, plaque buildup, diabetes and even smoking.
Most people that have carotid artery disease have no symptoms although some people with carotid artery disease may experience temporary numbness or weakness in their arm, face or leg on one side of the body.
People with carotid artery disease may also experience a Transient ischemic attack or mini stroke, blurred vision, headache and difficulty swallowing.
Diagnoses for a blocked artery in the neck or carotid artery disease include a physical exam and listening for a abnormal bruit sound in your artery and an ultrasound or angiogram to visualize your arteries.
Treatment for a blocked artery in the neck and carotid artery disease include medications such as statins, blood thinners and antihypertensive drugs and in some cases surgery to remove the plaque from the carotid artery.
If you smoke you should quit smoking and also manage your blood pressure and cholesterol and eat a healthy diet and get plenty of exercise.
To prevent carotid artery disease or a blocked artery in your neck you should exercise regularly, quit smoking if you do smoke, maintain a healthy weight, manage your cholesterol and blood pressure and get regular checkups at the doctor.
If left untreated carotid artery disease can lead to stroke, brain damage and even death.