Carotid Artery Disease

Risks

To reduce the risk of stroke, people can modify several known factors, including high blood pressure, diabetes, cigarette smoking, obesity and high cholesterol/lipids levels.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is the most prevalent and treatable risk factor for stroke. Blood pressure should be kept below 140/90 mm Hg. Both the systolic (top number) and the diastolic (bottom number) have important roles in the potential for stroke, reinforcing the need to maintain target blood pressure levels for good health. One study has shown that reducing the diastolic blood pressure by just 6 mm Hg reduces the risk of future stroke by 42 percent.

Cigarette smoking doubles the chance of stroke. The risk increases with the number of cigarettes smoked. If a person has smoked but quit, the risk of having a stroke in the future is reduced. Cigarette smoking is also a risk factor for development of narrowing of the carotid artery after it has been surgically corrected. It is especially important for a patient to stop smoking after carotid endarterectomy.

People who are overweight are at increased risk of high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Both increase the potential for stroke. Even modest weight gain can almost double the chances of suffering a stroke.

Keeping serum cholesterol and lipids within the recommended range may result in a 30 percent reduction in fatal and nonfatal stroke. Increased serum cholesterol is also a risk factor for recurrent narrowing of the carotid artery after endarterectomy.

All of these risk factors can be reduced. Doing so can significantly reduce the risk of stroke. Mayo physicians can recommend lifestyle changes and treatment plans that may decrease by more than tenfold a person's chances of stroke.