An ischemic stroke results from blockage of a brain artery leading lack of oxygen to the brain and death of parts of the brain. Stroke: The most serious outcome of carotid artery disease is stroke.Debris or platelets and clot can also form on the atherosclerotic plaque which can break off and block the brain arteries and lead to stroke. In some cases, a plaque can rupture or break off leading to pieces of those blockages travelling to the brain and blocking the brain arteries leading to a stroke. The plaque that blocks or narrows the arteries is the result of a buildup of cholesterol deposits. Stenosis means “narrowing.” Narrowed carotid arteries most often occur because of atherosclerosis, an accumulation of plaque along artery walls. Carotid artery disease: This condition is also called carotid artery stenosis.Problems related to the carotid arteries include: What are common carotid artery disorders? In severe cases, carotid artery problems are life-threatening. The condition can cause problems with how your brain and body function. Without adequate blood flow, the brain doesn’t get enough oxygen or nutrients.

The carotid artery can also enlarge and form aneurysms. Narrowing in the carotid artery can also occur due to dissections, which are tears in the lining of the blood vessel. The most common type of blockages are due to buildup of plaque or atherosclerosis. The most common problems related to the carotid arteries are narrowing or blockages. Adventitia, the protective outer layer of the artery.Ĭommon Conditions & Disorders What causes problems with the carotid arteries?.Media, a muscular middle layer that helps control the diameter of the artery.Intima, a smooth innermost layer to allow blood to flow easily.The external carotid artery divides into seven branches which supply the head, face and neck.Īll arteries, including the carotid arteries, have three layers: The internal carotid artery supplies the brain. These branches are the internal carotid artery and the external carotid artery. What are the parts of the carotid artery?Įach carotid artery in the neck divides into two branches. A clot or blockage in the carotid can cause serious complications. The left and right carotid arteries carry blood and oxygen to the brain and head and face. The left common carotid artery is the second main branch and arises directly off the aorta.

This article considers the relevant anatomy, physiology and practice of pulse assessment and recording.Ĭitation: Lowry M, Ashelford SÂ (2015) Assessing the pulse rate in adult patients.Â Nursing Times 111: 36/37, 18-20.Īuthors:Â Mike Lowry is lecturer in nursing Sarah Ashelford is lecturer in biological sciences both at the University of Bradford.The right common carotid artery extends up the neck off the innominate artery which is the first major branch off the aorta – the main artery in the body. Pulses indicate numerous patient characteristics including the degree of relaxation, regularity of cardiac contractions and sufficiency of cardiac output. Assessment should always be taken seriously, with any deviations from the norm reported to a senior clinician, and pulse rate, rhythm and strength must always be documented. Nurses must feel confident in their ability to accurately measure the pulse to assess patients’ health statusesĪssessing the pulse is a common procedure and an important aspect of many nursing interventions it should always be done with care and reassessed as needed. Pulse assessment is a vital component of good nursing care.

Carotid pulse