What does it mean to have a 50% local narrowing of the carotid artery, and what should I do?

Generally, local stenosis of 50% in the carotid artery may be caused by trauma, arteritis, atherosclerosis, arterial dissection, or neck tumors. Patients should seek timely medical evaluation at a reputable hospital to determine the cause and receive appropriate treatment. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Trauma: Direct or indirect violent injury to the neck can damage the carotid artery wall, leading to scar tissue formation or thrombosis, which narrows the carotid lumen. In such cases, patients can visit a reputable hospital and use medications like dabigatran etexilate capsules, rivaroxaban tablets, or aspirin enteric-coated tablets as prescribed to improve the condition.

2. Arteritis: Arteritis, especially large vessel vasculitis, is an autoimmune disease that may also lead to 50% local stenosis of the carotid artery. In large vessel vasculitis, the patient's immune system mistakenly attacks the arterial walls, causing inflammation and damage. This damage may lead to thickening of the vessel wall, stenosis, or even occlusion, thereby affecting blood flow in the carotid artery. Patients can use medications such as prednisone tablets, azathioprine tablets, and cyclophosphamide compound tablets under medical guidance to improve the condition.

3. Atherosclerosis: Atherosclerosis is a common cause of carotid artery stenosis. It mainly involves lipid deposition on the arterial walls, gradually forming plaques that enlarge and obstruct the arterial lumen. When the carotid arteries are affected by atherosclerosis, the lumen may narrow, affecting cerebral blood supply. Patients can follow medical advice to use medications such as aspirin enteric-coated tablets, clopidogrel bisulfate tablets, and warfarin sodium tablets for improvement.

4. Arterial Dissection: Arterial dissection refers to blood infiltrating the middle layer of the arterial wall, forming a dissecting hematoma, which may cause arterial lumen stenosis. Although carotid artery dissection is relatively rare, when it occurs, it may cause severe cerebral ischemia symptoms in patients. When the dissecting hematoma enlarges and compresses the carotid artery lumen, it can cause 50% local stenosis of the carotid artery. In such cases, treatment options such as stent angioplasty or balloon dilation may be performed at a reputable hospital.

5. Neck Tumors: Neck tumors, especially those growing near the carotid artery, may also lead to 50% local stenosis of the carotid artery. The growth of the tumor may compress the carotid artery, narrowing its lumen and affecting cerebral blood supply. Additionally, certain malignant tumors may invade the carotid artery wall, causing structural abnormalities and stenosis. In such cases, timely surgical removal of the tumor at a reputable hospital is necessary.

In daily life, it is recommended to maintain a positive mindset, avoid spicy, irritating, and greasy foods, rest adequately, and develop healthy lifestyle habits.