What is the treatment for carotid artery disease?

Clean out arteries: Carotid artery disease means that there is enough atherosclerotic plaque in the artery to put the person at high risk of having a stroke. Cleaning out the plaque is the most effective way to reduce the stroke risk. This operation is called endarterectomy. Like coronary artery disease, cholesterol lowering drugs may be helpful.

Endarterectomy: This is an operation that removes the plaque from the lumen of the artery. Traditionally this is the gold standard treatment for carotid disease. In some patients however that are high risk for surgery your doctor may recommend carotid stenting. Either way maximal medical management of peripheral vascular disease should be incorporated into the treatment paradigm.

Depends: On amount of blockage and symptoms. Take BP meds and statins if ordered. No smoking. Take Aspirin or Plavix (clopidogrel) if ordered. If severe blockage, more than 80%, or symptomatic with blockage more than 50% can have endarterectomy or stent.