{"id":3817,"date":"2019-02-07T05:23:16","date_gmt":"2019-02-07T05:23:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=3817"},"modified":"2021-03-25T21:17:15","modified_gmt":"2021-03-25T21:17:15","slug":"8-early-signs-showing-if-carotid-artery-is-blocked","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/8-early-signs-showing-if-carotid-artery-is-blocked\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Early Signs Showing if Carotid Artery Is Blocked"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The carotid arteries refer to the two main arteries on the side of the neck, and their job is to carry vital blood flow through to the head; if the carotid arteries become impaired or blocked, it can create a range of different and very serious complications for the rest of the body, including an increased risk of heart attacks to a sudden stroke occurring because there\u2019s a lack of blood flow to the brain.
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Strokes, heart attacks, and the potential of permanent brain damage are just some of the health issues that can be associated with a blocked carotid artery that has gone untreated for too long.
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If you have a blocked carotid, it\u2019s best spotted early on so that it can be treated as soon as possible.
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Here are the 8 essential signs that could signal a blocked carotid artery, and mean a trip to the emergency room.
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1. Bulging Veins<\/strong>
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Bulging veins<\/a> are almost always a sign of increased blood pressure, and if the bulging veins occur in the neck and head area, then it could potentially signal that the carotid artery is being blocked off \u2013 and this could lead to a highly increased risk of a heart attack or stroke.
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Sometimes it can be normal for the veins to bulge when the body is experiencing a bout of intense heat (in which cooling down is your best recourse), while other times it can happen after exercise \u2013 but if the condition sticks around for long, then you should consider having your blood pressure tested sooner rather than later, and speak to your doctor about the potential of a blocked carotid artery as the cause for the bulging veins in the first place.
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Cooling the body down can sometimes help to alleviate this symptom when it occurs, but only as a short-term solution.
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2. Tinnitus<\/strong>
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Tinnitus <\/a>is the medical term for a persistent ringing in the ears.
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Sometimes it can be a sign of something that\u2019s wrong within the inner ear, in which case it most often signals a standard infection of the ear canal that requires a course of antibiotics to get better \u2013 but if it still persists after this, it could be a sign of a burst eardrum, or it might have less to do with your ears than you might think.
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Ringing in the ears isn\u2019t always a condition of the ears itself but happens as the blood flows through the ears, and it might be one of the first early warning signs that you have high blood pressure, and increased heart rate or a blocked carotid artery that\u2019s posing a danger to your heart.
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You should see a doctor especially if you are able to combine several of the symptoms on this list with one another.
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3. Increased Heart Rate<\/strong>
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An increased heart rate is always a serious warning sign for your health if it persists over a long period of time, especially if you can\u2019t find an initial reason for the increased heart rate that\u2019s related to exercise. If it\u2019s combined with any of the symptoms on this list, it should be taken as a potential warning sign of having developed a blocked carotid artery \u2013 and you should make an appointment with your doctor to get it looked at sooner rather than later.
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An increased heart rate can signal many different health issues, though can usually be brought under control by prescribing beta-blockers and making a few small lifestyle changes in order to bring the heart rate down to normal.
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If it happens that a blockage of the carotid artery <\/a>is the cause, then other additional treatments (including the cleaning of the arteries and potentially blood thinners) will be prescribed.
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4. Headaches<\/strong>
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Headaches <\/a>can signal a range of different health problems, including something as slight as dehydration to something more serious such as a warning sign of an impending stroke. All persistent headaches should ideally be reported to your doctor so that the potential cause of it can be found sooner rather than later.
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When describing your type of headache to your doctor, ensure that you are specific about the symptoms that you are experiencing with it \u2013 and the type of associated pain that you are experiencing. The type of pain (whether throbbing, stabbing or pulsating) can tell your doctor more about what the source of your headache could be.
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When the carotid artery is blocked, the impaired blood flow to the brain is the primary cause of the headache \u2013 and it could be fatal if left untreated. This is why it\u2019s vital to report any kind of headaches that persist or recur.
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5. Blurred Vision<\/strong>
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Blurred vision is one of the most common side effects that people with a blocked carotid artery will experience. This happens because of the fact that the brain isn\u2019t getting enough oxygen <\/a>or blood flow to support it, and due to the fact that this decreased blood flow leads to an increase in cranial pressure.
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Sometimes this might be physically apparent, and the eyes might bulge or appear to be \u201csunken in\u201d – though in most cases, it won\u2019t be physically obvious in any outward way and will just manifest with blurred vision, pain in the eyes and an accompanying headache \u2013 which could just as easily have been mistaken for your standard migraine.
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Any of the symptoms on this list combined with blurred vision means that you should make an appointment with your doctor, or go straight to the emergency room rather than take any unnecessary risks with your health.
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6. Increased Blood Pressure<\/strong>
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Increased blood pressure<\/a> can be a sign that something else is wrong with your health, and it most commonly points to conditions and diseases that affect the circulatory system or the heart; although increased blood pressure shows up as a very common symptom of blocked arteries within the body, it might also manifest through lower than normal blood pressure \u2013 and either is an important sign that you should see your doctor.
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Any issues with blood pressure, while treated as a symptom of larger disorders in some cases, are also treated as a condition by itself \u2013 and blood pressure is usually brought under control through a combination of lifestyle changes and medication that helps to control the blood pressure.
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Anyone with increased blood pressure should automatically reduce their salt intake, live a healthier lifestyle and cut down on fats and oils \u2013 important whether you have a potentially blocked artery or not.
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7. Numbness<\/strong>
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Numbness <\/a>that occurs anywhere in the body should be reported to your doctor at your next appointment, and it can be a sign of several different things, all of which can be potentially dangerous to your health. If you experience numbness, then it can sometimes be because of a pinched nerve, or it might be outright nerve damage \u2013 then again, it might also point to a circulation issue or an underlying infection in the body.
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Sometimes numbness can also be an impending sign of a heart attack, particularly if it happens in the neck and shoulders together with the feeling of a tight chest \u2013 of course, sometimes it\u2019s not that at all, but is that the kind of chance that you\u2019d like to take when it comes to your health?
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If you can combine any of the symptoms on this list with one another, make an appointment with your doctor or go to the emergency room.
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8. Chest Pain<\/strong>
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A blocked carotid artery that impairs the blood flow to the brain can put you at a highly increased risk of a heart attack or stroke, and it\u2019s one of the foremost (and often fatal) causes for a stroke. If this happens to you, then it will likely present through many different symptoms before your health hits the actual danger zone, and it\u2019s imperative that you take note of any serious symptoms or changes in your health.
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If you experience chest pain<\/a> together with any of the symptoms on this list, then it could easily be an early warning sign of a stroke or heart attack \u2013 and should always be treated as such, even when it isn\u2019t.
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When it comes to your health, it\u2019s always better to be safe rather than sorry. A simple appointment with your doctor that takes under thirty minutes from start to finish can literally be the thing that saves your life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Light-Headedness<\/strong>
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Along with numbness and other similar symptoms, a blocked carotid artery is highly likely to cause light-headedness<\/a> and make you feel \u2018spacey\u2019. Some might describe this as brain fog. This is of course due to the blockage preventing the ordinary and proper flow of blood to the brain. This, in turn, impairs normal brain function, making you feel light-headed and unusual. Some people might find that this can also cause them to feel sick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have ever stood up too quickly and felt-light headed, this is because the sudden change in pressure has prevented blood from reaching your brain. Likewise, if you have ever hyperventilated, then this causes a similar effect by flooding the blood with oxygen that is unusable for the brain (due to the lack of carbon dioxide which is used to extract oxygen from hemoglobin). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you experience this same sensation as part of daily life, then it suggests that you may have a problem that is preventing normal blood flow. And if you notice that you simply aren\u2019t as \u2018mentally sharp\u2019 as you normally would be, then this could, in turn, be a sign that you are getting just slightly less oxygen to the brain.
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10. Poor Balance<\/strong>
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The condition called \u2018vertigo\u2019 is one that causes people to feel dizzy <\/a>and strange and that may cause them to pass out or to fall over. There are many things that can cause vertigo, including infections of the ear, brain damage, and in some cases the cause is unknown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, another cause is a blockage of the blood flow to the brain on just one side. This can actually send a signal to the brain that makes it think that it is at an angle, thereby causing you to become extremely dizzy and to struggle to balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is why one of the common treatments for vertigo is to attempt to massage and relax the neck. This can also help to reduce tightness or imbalance in the muscles, which can likewise cause that same sense of being pulled to one side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many things can cause loss of balance, but if the symptom occurs in conjunction with these other issues, then you may consider a blockage as a likely explanation.
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11. Weakness <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The carotid artery is responsible for directing blood to and from the brain and this means that it will help to provide what is literally your \u2018nerve center\u2019 with the energy it needs to function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have a blockage here though, this can then prevent the signals from your brain <\/a>from coming through to the rest of your body in as strong and pronounced a manner as they normally would. The result is that you may feel weak and lose some of your usual strength. That can, in particular, affect your gripping strength.
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12. Loss of Coordination<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Along with that loss of strength might come the loss of coordination, and this can be again owing to many different factors. For one, the loss of strength often causes <\/em>a loss of coordination as you are not able to engage the muscles in the precise manner necessary to move your hands and fingers through space. At the same time, your loss of coordination could be due to the aforementioned pressure on the nerves<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another possibility is that your carotid artery blockage is not caused by carotid artery disease (a blockage caused by fatty deposits) but rather by some other kind of obstruction \u2013 such as a growth or swelling. This can then equally affect the nerves that run up and down the neck and are actually responsible for relaying those messages. Should these be blocked, then you should expect to find that you lose some strength and dexterity.
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13. Tiredness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tiredness <\/a>can occur as a result of any kind of underlying condition. When all is not right in the body, it must work extra hard to maintain the status quo and thus you can end up feeling as though you\u2019ve run a small marathon by the end of the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any blockage affecting normal blood flow may cause tiredness in particular though. This is partly because you might find that blood flow is also hindered on its way to the muscles and elsewhere, thereby robbing you of your usual energy. At the same time, as the brain loses oxygen and therefore energy, it will become less \u2018excited\u2019 and therefore you may have a sedative effect in motion.
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14. Stroke<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately for many people, the first sign that they have a blockage of the carotid artery will be a stroke<\/a>. Here, they will likely be suffering from carotid artery disease, which will cause a blockage that then prevents the blood from making it to the brain. That, in turn, can cause the brain to cease functioning properly, which is what leads to a stroke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look for the symptoms of a stroke by identifying the FAST method. This stands for Face (dropping of the fast), Arm (pain or loss of movement in one arm), Speech (slurred speed), Take Action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, you might look out for changes to your cognition which are also common as parts of your brain stop working. Stroke can be very serious, but if you catch it early then the damage can be localized and minimized.
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15. Risk Factors<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When considering whether a carotid artery blockage may be responsible for your discomfort and symptoms, there are a few risk factors<\/a> that may make you more or less likely to be suffering from that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These risk factors can include but are not limited to: high blood pressure, use of tobacco (smoking), diabetes, high blood fat levels (cholesterol), family history (genetics), obesity, sleep apnea, stress, lack of exercise. In other words, anything that could affect the normal and healthy flow of blood around the body and to the brain could affect this area specifically and thereby lead to a higher chance of a blockage. If you have a family history or notice any of these symptoms, then try to maintain a healthy lifestyle as best as possible to avoid more serious symptoms.
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