The vascular and endovascular surgeons at Vascular Care of Texas are experts at diagnosing and treating strokes and transient ischemic attacks, or TIAs, as well as one of their leading causes — carotid artery disease. If you think someone is having a stroke, call 911. A stroke is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment to help preserve brain function.

If you are concerned about your risk for a stroke or carotid artery disease, make an appointment with one of our specialists today by calling (972) 426-9900.

Stroke treatment

We are committed to providing you with the least-invasive treatment options to give you the best possible outcome.

Nonsurgical preventive stroke measures include:

  • Lowering blood pressure through a combination of a healthy lifestyle and medication (if necessary)
  • Regular screening for vascular disorders or blockages
  • Other medications, such as blood thinners or statins to decrease the production of cholesterol

Additionally, we offer a full range of minimally invasive and open surgeries to prevent and treat strokes, including transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR), carotid endarterectomy and venous stenting.

Transient ischemic stroke (TIA)

A transient ischemic stroke, or TIA, happens when there is a temporary blockage to the brain. They are often called “mini-strokes” or “warning strokes.” While they don’t cause permanent damage, they are a warning that a full-blown stroke could potentially be on the horizon.

According to the American Stroke Association, symptoms can last from a few minutes up to 24 hours and include:

  • Weakness, numbness or paralysis on one side of your body only
  • Slurred speech or difficulty understanding the speech of others
  • Blindness in one or both eyes
  • Dizziness
  • Severe headache with no apparent cause

TIAs require immediate medical intervention, ideally within 24 hours of when symptoms begin. Our specialists are here to provide testing and treatment that can help you prevent a full-blown stroke.

Carotid artery disease

The two large blood vessels on either side of your neck are your carotid arteries. They transport blood and oxygen to your brain and head. When the carotid arteries become narrow or blocked, usually from a buildup of fatty plaque (atherosclerosis), this is called carotid artery disease. Too much plaque buildup can restrict blood flow to your brain and can lead to a stroke or TIA. Studies show that up to 20% of ischemic strokes are caused by carotid artery disease. Expert diagnosis and treatment by our skilled surgeons can help prevent a stroke before it happens.

Symptoms of carotid artery disease

People with carotid artery disease often have no symptoms. They may find out they have it by scheduling a carotid ultrasound, a noninvasive test that checks for blocked or narrowed carotid arteries. Other people discover they have it during a follow-up medical exam for a TIA or after having a stroke. If carotid artery disease is found to be present, either without symptoms or after a stroke event, it will need to be treated to help prevent another stroke event.

Treatment for carotid artery disease

If you require surgery for carotid artery disease, our surgeons will work with you to develop a personalized plan based on your unique needs. Surgical options include the following procedures:

  • Open carotid endarterectomy: Surgically removes plaque buildup from the carotid artery
  • Minimally invasive carotid stenting: Implants a stent to help hold your artery open