How do people treat carotid artery disease?

Multiple options: If the narrowing is significant surgery or a stent are used. Before you get to that point blood pressure control, cholesterol lowering medications and blood sugar control are helpful. And obviously no smoking.

Medical or surgical: Agressive medical therapy has been shown to be a better rx than stents or endarterectomy unless there is severe obstruction - greater than 80% - also b mode ultrasound can show whether the plaque is stable (calcified ) vs soft. Soft plaque is much more likely to break up and cause stroke. BP control 120/80 or less + aggressive cholesterol rx - i aim for a total cholesterol/hdl ratio of 2.5 or less.

Risk factor control.: No smoking. Eat right. Colesterol and blood pressure control. Aspirin if ordered by your doctor. Follow up ultrasounds of the carotid arteries.