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In this Article

• Carotid artery disease introduction
• How does carotid artery disease happen?
• What are the risk factors for carotid artery disease?
• What are the symptoms of carotid artery disease?
• What is a transient ischemic attack (TIA)?
• How is carotid artery disease diagnosed
• What's the treatment for carotid artery disease?
• What are the recommended lifestyle changes for carotid artery disease?
• Which drugs can reduce the risk of stroke?
• What medical procedures treat carotid artery disease
• Find a local Cardiologist in your town
• Carotid Artery Disease Index

To effectively treat carotid artery disease, doctors recommend the following:

• following recommended lifestyle habits
• taking medications as prescribed
• considering a procedure to improve blood flow, if your doctor believes it could help

To keep carotid artery disease from progressing, the following lifestyle changes are recommended:

• Quit smoking.
• Control high blood pressure (optimal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg).
• Control diabetes.
• Have regular check-ups with your doctor.
• Have your doctor check your cholesterol and get treatment, if necessary.
• Eat foods low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, and salt.
• Eat only enough calories to maintain a healthy weight; avoid weight gain.
• Increase exercise to at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week.
• Limit alcohol to one drink per day for women, two for men.

Your doctor may recommend antiplatelet medications such as aspirin and clopidogrel (Plavix) to decrease the risk of stroke due to blood clots. Your doctor may also prescribe medications to lower cholesterol and/or antihypertensives to lower your blood pressure. In some cases, Coumadin (warfarin), a blood thinner, may be prescribed.

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