Extracranial carotid artery aneurysm

It’s natural to worry when you find out you may have an aneurysm in your carotid artery. Some of the most experienced and dedicated heart and vascular specialists in the region are at Aurora Health Care, which means we can help you get the expert care you need using the most advanced technologies available.

What is an extracranial carotid artery aneurysm?

The carotid arteries are the two main blood vessels on either side of your neck that carry oxygen-rich blood to your brain. An extracranial carotid artery aneurysm is a bulge in the wall of one of these arteries.

The bulge develops because the artery wall is weak in that spot. Although extracranial carotid artery aneurysms seldom rupture, blood clots can form in them. If a clot breaks loose, it can block blood flow to your brain, causing a stroke or mini-stroke.

Symptoms of aneurysm on a carotid artery

It’s wise to talk with your doctor if you have symptoms or risk factors for an extracranial carotid artery aneurysm. Blood clots that form in the aneurysm can cause a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), which is a mini-stroke that temporarily stops blood from reaching your brain.

When small, an extracranial carotid artery aneurysm doesn’t always trigger symptoms. But if it gets large enough, you can have:

• Difficulty swallowing
• Facial swelling
• A hoarse voice

Causes & risk factors of aneurysm on a carotid artery

You’re more likely to develop an extracranial carotid artery aneurysm if you have certain risk factors. These include:

• Age, as aneurysms occur more often as you get older
• Atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque that narrows your arteries
• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• Family history of aneurysms
• Having a connective tissue disorder, such as a Marfan syndrome 

Diagnosing aneurysm on a carotid artery

We specialize in diagnosing all types of aneurysms, including extracranial carotid artery aneurysm. Your doctor will perform a thorough physical exam and ask about any symptoms you have. They may order diagnostic tests, too, such as:

• Carotid angiography, where your doctor uses special, thin tubes to insert dye into your artery to make it easier to view
• Radiographic imaging, such as CT scan or MRI
• Echocardiogram, a heart ultrasound that uses sound waves to create images of your aorta and help your doctor detect an aneurysm

Find out more about our heart and vascular testing and diagnosis.

Treatment for aneurysm on a carotid artery

While we’re experts in treating cardiovascular conditions, we never lose sight of you as a person. If you’re diagnosed with an extracranial carotid artery aneurysm, we’ll work with you on a care plan tailored just for you. Your treatment may include:

• Medications to lower your blood pressure or cholesterol or to dissolve clots
• Monitoring every six months if your aneurysm is small
• Aneurysm repair surgery where our specialists repair or reinforce the artery wall using traditional surgery or endovascular stent grafting

Are you at risk for heart disease?

Knowing your risk factors of heart disease – the leading cause of death in the U.S. – can help you lower your chances of developing it. Our heart health quiz estimates your risk, determines which of your risk factors are controllable and gives you an idea what to do next based on your results.

Take the heart health quiz