How does someone develop carotid artery stenosis?

A patient may develop carotid artery stenosis in a similar fashion to a patient who develops heart disease and/or peripheral vascular disease. The risks are similar. The most important point to remember is the benefits of risk reduction are also similar. Therefore, if someone wants to avoid developing carotid disease, they should exercise, stay at their ideal body weight, not smoke, reduce their stress and work with their doctor to reduce their other risk factors which will not only protect them from having a stroke but also having a heart attack.

Carotid artery stenosis is caused by the buildup of plaque or atherosclerosis. Risk factors for this disease process include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and smoking.