Stroke can be caused by many factors (not just carotid disease). As a result there are many different symptoms of stroke. However the type of stroke from carotid disease usually results in specific symptoms:

• Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body or one limb (people may describe this as their hand or leg going “dead”)
• Numbness in the arm or leg (much more so than, say, your hand going to sleep when you lie on it in bed)
• Facial droop on one side of the face
• Inability to speak (this is a very dramatic change in speech – usually complete inability to speak, severe slurring, or inability for others to understand you).
• Loss of vision in ONE eye (people describe this as a “shade” being drawn down over one eye

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should seek EMERGENCY medical attention immediately! They may be signs of a stroke.

Some symptoms that may have other causes than carotid disease include: dizziness, blurred vision in both eyes, headaches, or fainting. While these may also be serious conditions, they may not be a result of carotid disease.