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.
Understand Carotid Artery Disease Carotid artery disease is a serious condition that occurs when the blood vessels in the neck that carry oxygen-rich blood to the brain (carotid arteries) become narrowed a fatty, waxy substance called plaque. Carotid artery disease is one of the primary causes of a stroke. These blockages caused by carotid artery disease can restrict blood flow to brain tissue or promote a blood clot that cuts off blood flow entirely, causing an ischemic stroke,the most common type of stroke.