How does blockage in the carotid artery cause stroke?
High Cholesterol can cause plaque formation in the carotid artery in the neck. As the plaque enlarges several adverse circumstances can be produced. Larger plaques become friable and can release particles that migrate to the brain. Once in the brain these particles can block small blood vessels causing a stroke. The enlarging plaque can also completely block the carotid artery depriving the brain of blood resulting in a stroke.
