Questions about carotid artery disease (Carotid Stenosis)

I had pressure when trying to wash or brush my teeth, doing anything that involved using my arms.

I was in the cath lab 8 months prior and all my arteries were clear. I really don’t understand this. Thank you

During my yearly physical, my new Family doctor listened to my heartbeat in my neck and discovered a swooshing sound in my right neck. He told me that this indicated some blockage in my right carotid artery. My Cardiologist requested a cat scan, which showed a 70 percent blockage. A surgeon performed the angioplasty to cleanout the artery. The morning after surgery, the surgeon told me that the artery was in fact 99.9 percent block with just a pinhole opening that let blood drops through. That was shocking since I had no signs that this might be the case. Since I could have, at any moment, suffered a sever stroke. I was very thankful to the family doctor who originally diagnosed the blockage.

Two years ago I was diagnosed with subclavian steal syndrome. An attempt to stent the artery was unsuccessful so I’ve had 6 month follow ups with CT angiogram and duplex ultrasound. My left arm is quickly fatigued by any activity and occasionally I feel faint. My vascular surgeon has scheduled a subclavian arterial bypass next month. Has anyone had this procedure? I am 69 years old and concerned about the possibility of having a stoke during or after this procedure. I was told this procedure will improve the blood flow to my arm and should return to normal.

Carotid Stenosis
Has anyone ever had this problem, did you have surgery. I was wondering what might help me dealing with this.
What might be good for helping my artery turn to the good.
Should I be taking a calcium supplement?
Thank you for your input.

Hi @dream1649, I moved your question about carotid stenosis, surgery and calcium supplements to this existing discussion:
- Questions about carotid artery disease (Carotid Stenosis) https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/carotid-artery-disease-diagnosis/

I did this so you can read previous posts and connect easily with members like @marciabl @goincd1 @degarden_girl @lioness and @predictable who have talked about carotid artery disease.

Carotid stenosis, also known as carotid artery disease, is a narrowing of a carotid artery. To prevent or slow the progression of carotid artery disease, Mayo Clinic experts suggest:

- Don't smoke. Within a few years of quitting, a former smoker's risk of stroke is similar to a nonsmoker's.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight contributes to other risk factors, such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and sleep apnea.
- Limit cholesterol and fat. Cutting back on saturated fat, in particular, may reduce the buildup of plaques in your arteries.
- Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. They contain nutrients such as potassium, folate and antioxidants, which may protect against a TIA or stroke.
- Limit salt. Excess salt (sodium) may increase blood pressure in people who are sensitive to sodium. Experts recommend that healthy adults eat less than 1,500 milligrams of sodium a day.
- Exercise regularly. Exercise can lower your blood pressure, increase your level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol — the "good" cholesterol — and improve the overall health of your blood vessels and heart. It also helps you lose weight, control diabetes and reduce stress.
- Limit alcohol.
- Control chronic conditions. Managing conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure helps protect your arteries.

What lifestyle changes might you feel encourage to do?

I've narrowing of the cartoid arteries both side of neck which has caused pulsating tinnitus in left ear , does anybody else suffer this ? Waiting to see vascular surgeon

I also have bilateral carotid stenosis but never realized that my occasional tinnitus could be related.

Mines constant & its painful especially under collar bone

my situation is similar, I have 80 % blockage in right carotid, I am Asymptomatic, and have seen my internest, and vascular surgeon, both are pushing for surgery, carotid
edarterectomy. I am 79, working full time as office administrator, walking hour or more everyday, active, and living independently Concerned about after surgery, I want to be able to be able to return to my normal way of life, after recovery. Open for discussion.