Carotid Artery Disease

Ask your doctor

The following questions can help you talk to your doctor about your individual risk of having carotid artery disease. If you’ve already been diagnosed with carotid artery disease or have had a stroke, the questions below can help you discuss treatment and recovery as well as stroke prevention. Print out or write down these questions and take them to your appointment. Taking notes can help you remember your doctor’s response when you get home.

Doctor and Patient at appointment with ipad
QUESTIONS FOR YOUR DOCTOR

Bring a list of questions to help start a conversation with your doctor about carotid artery disease. 

If you’re concerned about your risk for carotid artery disease

  1. Based on my family history, am I at a greater risk for carotid artery disease?
  2. Based on my personal history, am I at a greater risk for carotid artery disease?
  3. Could the symptoms I’m having be related to carotid artery disease?
  4. Do my cholesterol levels put me at risk?
  5. Is my weight within a healthy range to prevent carotid artery disease?
  6. Does diabetes put me at greater risk?
  7. Can you help me quit smoking (if you smoke)?
  8. Is my blood pressure within the normal range? Can you help me control my high blood pressure?
  9. What dietary choices should I be making for cardiovascular health?
  10. What level of exercise is safe for me and will also have cardiovascular benefits?
  11. Are there tests that you would recommend based on my risk factors?

If you’ve been diagnosed with carotid artery disease

If you’ve been diagnosed with carotid artery disease, it’s normal to be worried and to want as much information about the disease and treatment as possible. It can be a challenging time for patients who have experienced a serious cardiovascular event such as a stroke. The following questions can lay the groundwork for a discussion between you and your doctor.

  1. Am I in danger of having a first or recurrent stroke?
  2. What additional tests may I need?
  3. What are my treatment options? What combination of lifestyle changes, medications, and treatments may be necessary to combat the disease?
  4. What is my prognosis? What are the likely outcomes?
  5. Will I be able to have my desired quality of life? What can I do to improve the odds of this?
  6. What will happen after treatment? If treatment involves recovery, how long will that take?
  7. What follow-up will be necessary?
  8. If I’ve already had a stroke, what types of therapy may I need?
  9. Who can I turn to for support (hospital staff, support groups, etc.)?

Improving Patient Care

The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI) is the leading nonprofit medical society representing invasive and interventional cardiology. Founded in 1978, SCAI’s mission is to lead the global interventional cardiovascular community through education, advocacy, research, and quality patient care. 

SCAI has dedicated its work to advancing the profession and is the designated society for guidance, representation, professional recognition, education, and research opportunities for invasive and interventional cardiology professionals. For more than 40 years, SCAI has personified professional excellence and innovation globally, fostering a trusted community of more than 4,500 members dedicated to medical advancement and lifesaving care for adults and children with cardiovascular disease.  

Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions®

1100 17th Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036