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External Carotid Artery Blockage Symptoms

Four carotid arteries, the left and right internal and left and right external, comprise the system that delivers crucial oxygen to the brain and head. A blockage of any of the four produces the same symptoms and could lead to stroke.

  1. Function

    • Oxygen-carrying blood is transported to the brain, head, neck and face by the two carotid arteries at the front of the neck. When these become obstructed with fatty deposits, called plaque, this is referred to as atherosclerosis and carotid artery disease.

    Types

    • The two carotid arteries, one on each side of the neck, divide into external and internal carotid arteries. "The internal carotid arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to your brain," according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, and "the external carotid arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to your face, scalp, and neck."

    Signs

    • Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) are referred to as "mini-strokes" and are a warning that a major stroke may be forthcoming. "A person may experience temporary blindness, weakness in an arm or leg, dizziness, tingling sensations on the surface of the skin or numbness," says the University of Maryland Medical Center.

    Symptoms

    • Most people experience no external carotid artery blockage symptoms until the appearance of a TIA. Because the external carotid artery supplies blood to the neck, scalp and face, symptoms such as numbness and tingling are most likely to occur in those areas.

    Risk Factors

    • Hypertension, smoking, diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, and a lack of exercise increase the likelihood of external carotid artery blockage.

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