The carotid arteries are major blood vessels located on each side of your neck, responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood to your brain and head. While neck pain is a common complaint, usually stemming from muscle strain or posture issues, it can, in rare instances, be a symptom of underlying problems with these arteries.
Conditions Where Carotid Arteries Cause Neck Pain
One serious condition that can cause neck pain is carotid artery dissection, which involves a tear in the inner layer of the artery wall. Blood can then enter between the layers, causing the wall to bulge and potentially slow or block blood flow to the brain. The pain associated with dissection is often described as sudden, severe, and unusual, typically located on one side of the neck and sometimes radiating to the head, face, or eye. This condition is a medical emergency that can lead to a stroke.
Another less common condition is carotidynia, a rare syndrome characterized by localized tenderness and pain over the carotid artery, often on one side of the neck. This pain can radiate to the face, jaw, ear, or forehead and may worsen with head movements, chewing, yawning, coughing, or swallowing. While its exact cause is often unclear, it is sometimes associated with inflammation of the blood vessels.
Severe atherosclerosis, a condition where plaque builds up inside blood vessels, generally does not cause pain unless complications arise. However, in very rare instances, inflammation surrounding significant plaque deposits in the carotid arteries might lead to some discomfort.
Distinguishing Carotid Pain from Common Neck Pain
Most neck pain is musculoskeletal, resulting from issues like muscle strain, poor posture, or arthritis, and typically presents as stiffness, soreness, or a diffuse ache that may be linked to movement. Carotid-related pain, however, often exhibits distinct characteristics. It can feel throbbing or pulsatile, localized specifically to the front or side of the neck near the jaw, and may have a sudden onset with unusual severity.
Carotid pain may be accompanied by other concerning symptoms that are not typical of common muscle strain. These include a sudden, severe headache, facial or eye pain, or a pulsating sound in the ear. Neurological symptoms are particularly indicative of a more serious issue, such as:
Weakness or numbness on one side of the body
Difficulty speaking or understanding speech
Vision changes like blurred vision or temporary loss of sight in one eye
A droopy eyelid and small pupil (Horner’s syndrome)
When to Seek Medical Attention for Neck Pain
It is important to seek immediate medical attention if you experience sudden, severe, or unusual neck pain, especially if it is unlike any pain you have had before. This urgency increases if the pain is accompanied by neurological symptoms such as sudden dizziness, weakness or numbness on one side of the body, vision changes, or difficulty speaking or swallowing. These symptoms could indicate a serious condition like a carotid artery dissection or a stroke.
Any persistent, concerning, or unexplained neck pain should prompt a consultation with a healthcare professional, even if symptoms do not seem immediately severe. Other red flag symptoms warranting urgent evaluation include a sudden severe headache with no obvious cause, fever, or unexplained weight loss accompanying the neck pain.