Loss of Vision

• The brain is responsible for taking in all the senses of the body and processing them. When the brain does not receive enough oxygen, it can suffer from temporary lapses in processing different sensory information. One potential sign of carotid artery disease or that a TIA has occurred is a temporary loss of eyesight. According to the Mayo Clinic, this can occur in one eye or both eyes, and may result in a graying out of vision rather than complete vision loss.
  
  

Mental Acuity

• Another potential sign of carotid artery disease is a decreased level of mental acuity. According to the American Heart Association, the disease can lead to difficulty speaking, slurred speech, and difficulty finding words to express yourself. These symptoms may appear suddenly, which can indicate that a TIA has taken place.
  
  

Stroke

• A stroke occurs when the blood flow to part of the brain is stopped suddenly. Strokes can result in permanent brain damage, which can cause loss of mental ability, loss of control over body parts and permanent numbness. It is common for a person to experience one or more TIAs before a full stroke takes place. Those that have experienced strokes may develop seizures and are likely to experience more strokes in the future.
  
  

PAD

• Peripheral artery disease, or PAD, occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the legs become clogged with plaques, reducing blood flow, in the same way that carotid artery disease clogs arteries that deliver blood to the brain. People who have PAD are also at risk for carotid artery disease, so the symptoms of PAD can indicate the possibility of carotid artery disease before a severe incident takes place. The symptoms of PAD are numbness and tingling in the legs and feet, hair loss on the legs, and slow recovery of wounds on the legs and feet.
  
  

Risk Factors

• The presence of risk factors for carotid artery disease can help alert you to the possibility of the having the disease. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a common risk factor for carotid artery disease. Obesity and high cholesterol levels are also associated with higher levels of carotid artery disease. Cigarette smoking is another common risk factor. Taking steps to limit the risk factors of carotid artery disease can help reduce the chances of experiencing debilitating events like TIAs and strokes later in life.