People in Seoul, South Korea, watched a news report on North Korea's announcement of its first hydrogen bomb test on Wednesday. Credit Jung Yeon-Je/Agence France-Presse â Getty Images.
Carotid artery disease is also called carotid artery stenosis. The term refers to the narrowing of the carotid arteries. This narrowing is usually caused by the buildup of fatty substances and cholesterol deposits, called plaque. Carotid artery occlusion refers to complete blockage of the artery.
You have a carotid artery on each side of your neck. The blood flow in this artery can become partly or totally blocked by fatty material called plaque. A partial blockage is called carotid artery stenosis (narrowing). A blockage in your carotid artery can reduce the blood supply to your brain. Sometimes part of a plaque can break off and block off another artery. A stroke can occur if your brain does not get enough blood. Two procedures can be used to treat a carotid artery that is narrowed or blocked.