What happens when an artery is clogged near the brain?

Carotid artery disease occurs when fatty deposits (plaques) clog the blood vessels that deliver blood to your brain and head (carotid arteries). The blockage increases your risk of stroke, a medical emergency that occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted or seriously reduced.

What are the symptoms of blockage in brain?

Symptoms of poor blood flow to the brain

• slurred speech.
• sudden weakness in the limbs.
• difficulty swallowing.
• loss of balance or feeling unbalanced.
• partial or complete loss of vision or double vision.
• dizziness or a spinning sensation.
• numbness or a tingling feeling.
• confusion.

What causes hardening of arteries in brain?

Your brain contains a network of arteries – blood vessels that provide it with oxygen-rich blood. Intracranial atherosclerosis disease (ICAD) – sometimes called “hardening of the arteries” – occurs when these arteries become clogged with a sticky substance called plaque, made up of deposits of fat and cholesterol.

How do you unblock a brain artery?

The main options for treating narrowing of the arteries in the brain are:

1. Angioplasty to reopen the artery with possible stenting.
2. Cerebral artery bypass surgery.

How do you treat hardening of the arteries in the brain?

Treatment for cerebral arteriosclerosis can include medications or surgery. Physicians also may recommend treatments to help people control high blood pressure, quit cigarette smoking, and reduce cholesterol levels, all of which are risk factors for cerebral arteriosclerosis.

What are the arteries of the brain?

Arteries of the brain 1 Origin. Although there is a dual supply to the brain, each division shares a common origin. 2 Anterior circulation. The anterior circulation involves all the arteries that originate from the internal carotid arteries. 3 Posterior circulation. 4 Circle of Wills. 5 Development.

How does carotid artery disease affect the brain?

Carotid artery disease reduces the flow of oxygen to the brain. The brain needs a constant supply of oxygen to work. Even a brief pause in blood supply can cause problems. Brain cells start to die after just a few minutes without blood or oxygen.

What happens when the blood supply to the brain is blocked?

Even a brief pause in blood supply can cause problems. Brain cells start to die after just a few minutes without blood or oxygen. If the narrowing of the carotid arteries becomes severe enough that blood flow is blocked, it can cause a stroke. If a piece of plaque breaks off it can also block blood flow to the brain. This too can cause a stroke.

Can a blocked carotid artery cause a stroke?

If the narrowing of the carotid arteries becomes severe enough that blood flow is blocked, it can cause a stroke. If a piece of plaque breaks off it can also block blood flow to the brain. This too can cause a stroke. What causes carotid artery disease? Atherosclerosis causes most carotid artery disease.