Carotid Artery Surgery in Boulder, CO

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Every year, there are about 795,000 cases of stroke and 140,000 of them are fatal. That’s a stroke every four seconds and a death every four minutes.

Stroke can be prevented, and one of the best preventive measures is a procedure called carotid artery surgery (endarterectomy). Alpine Surgery offers carotid artery surgery in Boulder, CO, and here is the information you need to know about this surgical service.

What Is Carotid Artery Surgery?

A carotid endarterectomy is a surgery that removes plaque (fat and cholesterol buildup) from the carotid artery. A carotid artery on either side of your neck delivers blood to your brain, neck, and face. When there is a plaque build-up, the blood flow is dramatically reduced or halted in some cases. This can lead to a stroke.

Endarterectomy may be performed on either the left or right side of your neck to remove plaque from the carotid artery walls and improve blood flow to the brain. This helps to prevent strokes, which are the sixth leading cause of death in America. Carotid artery surgery is a commonly used treatment for carotid artery disease. This surgery is also done as an emergency procedure for patients who have a mild stroke.

Preventing Stroke with Surgical Treatment for Carotid Stenosis

Alpine Surgical offers carotid artery surgery in Boulder, CO. Our surgeons, Dr. Fox and Dr. Beckley, will perform the surgery at one of our partner hospitals. Endarterectomy may take 1-2 hours, and you will be put under general anesthesia. You may also receive sedation to help you relax. After the surgery, you will need to stay in the hospital overnight for monitoring.

It is a common consequence to experience a neck ache for two weeks afterwards. However, you can alleviate discomfort with over-the-counter pain relievers. You may also need to take aspirin or other medications to prevent blood clots. Recovering from a carotid endarterectomy is fast and you can go back to your usual activities in a week or two.

Carotid Artery Surgery for Stroke Prevention

A stroke is like a thief; you’ll never know when it will strike. Our surgeons at Alpine Surgical can help you prevent this fatal occurrence with carotid artery surgery in Boulder, CO. Contact our office today to learn more about the procedure or to schedule an appointment.