Another Carotid Artery scare. Please help.

[Jokerhound]

I've caught some sort of cold and was coughing very violently when I felt a bit of pain where my carotid artery is in the right side of my neck. I don't feel any pain now but I'm extremely worried I might have torn it. Is it likely? I'm only 15 and a non-smoker and again, I'm not feeling any pain..  Just a bit of an odd feeling in the right side of my neck which might just be my anxiety..

[vardnas]

I feel like I might have said this to you before, but the cartoid artery is the MAIN source of blood to your head and neck. Do you REALLY think it's so fragile that it would tear after a bought of violent coughing? It's not fragile and it won't tear. Any pain you're feeling there is no doubt muscular.

Why are you feeling fearful of your cartoid artery?

[marc]

I had a carotid artery scan in the last year or two and the technician doing the scan told me that
carotid artery issues are typically seen in individuals who have been heavy smokers for decades and
in the elderly.

[Jokerhound]

I don't believe you have, Vardnas. I know Marc has on another topic of mine concerning the fear, but not you. I suppose you're right, though and your answer is greatly appreciated. An excellent point. To answer your question,  I'm just very concerned over it ripping because of how important it is to the body and how vital. I'm simply terrified of hurting it somehow.

[Marilynj28]

hey you arent alone. those fears tend to creep into my head sometimes too, and will prevent me from sleeping because i think im going to expire. but im still here, and so are you! if you had a tear in it, you wouldnt be able to have written your post 

[vardnas]

I think it would do you some good then to remind yourself when you have these fears just how strong and vital the human body is. Think about all the people you've seen who have had violent coughing fits, or more than that—what about athletes like football players and rugby players who sustain regular hits to the head and neck—you just don't hear about spontaneous cartoid tearing, do you? Counter your fears with logic. You have no reason to worry about this. 

[jwall378]

The carotid artery is a VERY BIG blood vessel (which means it's also tough). If you tore it, you wouldn't be typing on your computer. If it tore, you probably wouldn't even have time to worry about it before you passed out. I like what the previous post said.....think about football players and hockey players who take many violent hits. I've never heard of any of these players tearing their artery.

[Jokerhound]

Thank you all so much. Your logic has helped me relax and will most likely aid in curving any paranoia I have on this fear in the future. Again, thank you. All your answers are very much appreciated. .w. The thing about the sports players does make a lot of sense. I'd never really thought of it that way.