Are carotid artery disease and coronary artery disease caused by the same problem?
Yes, and the problem is atherosclerosis, sometimes called hardening of the arteries. Atherosclerosis is caused when fatty deposits like cholesterol build up inside the arteries and form plaque. Over time, as more plaque builds up, it narrows the artery and slows the blood flow, which can be dangerous: • In the coronary arteries, it can block blood flow to the heart and cause a heart attack. • In the carotid arteries, it can block blood flow to the brain and cause a stroke. 2. After my heart attack I had a stent implanted, and later I had an ICD implanted. Why do I still have to be on heart medications? It depends on what the medications treat. Devices and/or stents, when used together with medications, often give you the best treatment. Remember, your procedures were done to help very specific issues. • Your stent is meant to keep a certain part of an artery open. • Your ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator) is meant to prevent sudden cardiac death due to fast or abnormal heartb
