• Centers and Departments
• Back to Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
• Diseases and Conditions
• Aneurysms
• Carotid Artery Disease
  • Signs and Symptoms
  • Risk Factors
  • Causes
  • Diagnosis
  • Treatments
  • Physicians and Services
• Diabetic Foot Problems
• Peripheral Artery Disease
• Veins

Causes

Damage, Plaque and Clots

• Carotid artery disease starts when damage occurs to the inner layers of the carotid arteries, and plaque accumulates.
  
• Injury can occur as a result of smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure or other factors.
  
• Blocking the arteries directly, plaque can rupture, forming blood clots in the arteries. Such clots can also block arteries.