What Happens If One Carotid Artery is Blocked?

Eliza Jonasson
Eliza Jonasson

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What happens

- if one carotid artery is blocked?

This is the question that doctors get asked all the time. There are many causes of this condition, such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, congenital defects, muscle relaxants, drug use, age-related deterioration, and more. To find out the real cause of the problem, doctors will perform blood tests. Once the doctor has the answers, he/she will be able to decide the best treatment plan.

First, the normal blood flow to the brain is obstructed. The arteries that carry blood to the neck become narrowed or blocked. When the blood flow is obstructed, it can result in a decrease in the blood pressure in your head.

-If one carotid artery is partially blocked or totally blocked

The carotid arteries that supply your face, lips, tongue, and neck can also be affected. These arteries allow your brain to send signals to your hands and legs. When these arteries are obstructed, they can slow down the blood flow or stop it completely.

Totally blocked results can be extremely dangerous. Your body won’t receive adequate oxygen, and you could die because of that. The most common cause of carotid artery blockage is a narrowing of the…

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