Carotid Endarterectomy

A carotid endarterectomy involves an incision in the front of the neck to expose the diseased carotid artery and peels away the plaque from the artery wall. The artery is patched with an artificial material or a piece of vein from another part of the body. The incision is then stitched.

SORE THROAT

You can expect to have a sore throat, or sore throat trouble swallowing for days or weeks after surgery.

NUMBNESS

You may experience numbness in the incision area, and this can linger for several months.

FATIGUE

Fatigue is also common after surgery, so it’s important to get plenty of rest.

FOOD

Although patients can typically resume a normal diet when they return home, you may want to favor soft, bland foods until the discomfort is gone.

DRIVING & EXERCISE

Although patients can typically resume a normal diet when they return home, you may want to favor soft, bland foods until the discomfort is gone.

RETURNING TO WORK

Most people are able to return to work and resume most normal activities between 2 and 4 weeks after surgery. But recovery can take longer for older patients or those who have ongoing health conditions: e.g. hypertension, diabetes or cardiovascular disease.

CONTROL BLOOD PRESSURE

High blood pressure, or hypertension, plays a major role in heart disease and atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. Controlling blood pressure through diet and exercise, or with medication, can help prevent a return of plaque.

LOWER CHOLESTEROL

Cholesterol is a major ingredient in artery plaque. Keeping cholesterol levels low with diet or medications can reduce the risk of new plaque buildup in a cleared artery or the development of plaque in other blood vessels.

EXERCISE

Lack of exercise and a sedentary lifestyle can contribute to the stiffening of artery walls, circulation problems and cardiovascular disease. Regular, moderate exercise, as your health permits, can help prevent the buildup of plaque.

EAT A HEALTHY DIET

An unhealthy diet can contribute to the buildup of plaque. A healthy diet low in sodium, saturated fats and sugars — and high in vegetables, fruits and healthy fats can help keep weight and blood pressure down and cholesterol low.

LOSE EXCESS WEIGHT

Obesity plays a major role in cardiovascular disease as well as other health conditions, so maintaining a healthy weight for your age and body type can help reduce the risk of plaque buildup, heart attack and stroke.

QUITTING SMOKING

Smoking hardens and narrows arteries and contributes to many other health problems, so stopping is an important step toward keeping your heart and arteries healthy.