Carotid Artery Screening: Are You at Risk for Stroke?

Written by Kristy Beard, MSN, APRN, FNP-C — Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Founder of Elevate Health and Wellness, serving patients across the Gulf Coast in Gautier, MS and Foley, AL.

Stroke on the Gulf Coast: A Preventable Crisis

The Gulf Coast sits squarely within what epidemiologists call the Stroke Belt — a region of the southeastern United States with significantly higher rates of stroke mortality than the national average. Mississippi and Alabama both rank among the states with the highest age-adjusted stroke death rates in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The underlying risk factors — hypertension, diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, smoking, and physical inactivity — are all highly prevalent in this region and all directly contribute to the carotid artery disease that causes the majority of strokes.

What Is Carotid Artery Disease?

The carotid arteries are the major blood vessels in the neck that supply oxygenated blood to the brain. Carotid artery disease — also called carotid artery stenosis — develops when atherosclerotic plaque builds up on the inner walls of these vessels, narrowing the lumen and reducing blood flow. More dangerously, plaque can rupture or shed small clots that travel to the brain and block cerebral blood vessels — causing ischemic stroke. According to the American Stroke Association, carotid artery disease is responsible for approximately 10 to 15% of all ischemic strokes.

What Carotid Ultrasound Screening Detects

Carotid artery ultrasound is a non-invasive, radiation-free imaging study that uses sound waves to visualize the interior and walls of the carotid arteries in real time. It can measure the degree of stenosis (narrowing) caused by plaque, assess plaque characteristics including stability versus vulnerability to rupture, measure intima-media thickness (IMT) — an early marker of atherosclerosis that predicts cardiovascular risk before significant stenosis develops, and detect turbulent blood flow patterns that indicate hemodynamically significant disease. All of this information is available without radiation, without contrast dye, and without any preparation — in a single outpatient session at Elevate Health and Wellness.

Who Should Consider Carotid Artery Screening?

Carotid artery screening is most appropriate for adults over 55 with multiple cardiovascular risk factors including hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, smoking history, or obesity; patients with a family history of stroke or premature cardiovascular disease; those who have experienced transient ischemic attack (TIA) symptoms including sudden vision changes, speech difficulty, or one-sided weakness; and patients with known peripheral artery disease or coronary artery disease, in whom carotid involvement is common. At Elevate, Kristy Beard, MSN, APRN, FNP-C reviews your complete cardiovascular risk profile before recommending screening.

Ready to assess your stroke risk? Learn about our vascular screening services at Elevate in Gautier, MS and Foley, AL.

Sources: CDC. Stroke Statistics. cdc.gov. | American Stroke Association. Carotid Artery Disease. stroke.org.

This article is written by Kristy Beard, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and founder of Elevate Health and Wellness. Information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a licensed healthcare provider for personalized care.