Stroke/TIA
(Carotid Artery Disease)

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and is the leading cause of disability in adults. ​Each year over 800,000 people suffer from a stroke, and someone dies from a stroke every 4 minutes.

Carotid Artery Disease is responsible for about 30% of all strokes—and these can all be prevented. The carotid arteries are the main arteries in your neck that supply oxygen and nutrients to your brain. These arteries are susceptible to getting “clogged” with plaque, or fatty deposits. Most people don’t know they have carotid artery disease until they have a stroke or mini-stroke (TIA), where symptoms last for less than 24 hours.

At South Bay Vascular, we offer affordable screening ultrasounds for those who have risk factors, a family history of stroke, or worries about carotid artery disease. We can help!

Make an appointment today!
Call 408-376-3626

Symptoms

The symptoms of a stroke include:

  • Weakness or numbness on one side of your body, especially in an arm or leg
  • Inability to control the movement on one side of the body
  • Droopiness of one side of the face
  • Difficulty speaking
  • Partial vision loss in one eye


Mini-Stroke/TIA
Some people may experience a mini-stroke (TIA), where symptoms last for less than 24 hours. However, it is important to note that 40 percent of people who have a TIA will have an actual stroke, often within the first few days after a TIA. Get to a hospital immediately if you or a loved one experience any of these symptoms.


Types of Strokes

  • Hemorrhagic strokes are most commonly caused by hypertension. Less commonly, they can be caused by ruptured aneurysms or tumors in the brain.
  • Ischemic strokes are caused by a blood clot in an artery in the brain. This can be the result of a clot travelling from the heart or artery in the neck (the carotid) or from a clot inside a vessel in the brain.

Risk Factors

The risk factors for carotid artery disease and stroke include:

  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • High cholesterol
  • Cigarette smoking
  • Advanced age

Solutions

Carotid artery disease is responsible for about 30% of all strokes and can easily be diagnosed with a simple, non­invasive, and painless vascular ultrasound test. If you have had any of the above symptoms, speak to your doctor about getting an ultrasound. At South Bay Vascular, we offer screening ultrasounds for a nominal fee. This test can be done in just 15 minutes, and results will be sent immediately to you or your family physician.

“I had a small stroke before I knew I had a blocked carotid artery. After the surgery, my symptoms improved and my worries about having it happen again—or worse—were gone.”

– SBVC patient

“I found Dr. Kokinos to be excellent at explaining, assessing, and treating. It is wonderful to find an excellent doctor who is also a friendly and compassionate person.”

– SBVC patient