A University of Western Ontario study claims that 95% of patients with severely clogged carotid arteries, but with no signs of an impending stroke would not benefit from plaque removing surgery or stent insertions to open up the arteries. Rather, according to Dr. David Spence, Director of UWO’s Stroke Prevention and Atherosclerosis Research Centre and principal investigator, they only need to make changes in their lifestyle and undergo intensive drug therapy.

All they are required to do is to go on a cardiovascular-friendly Mediterranean diet, quit smoking, take certain vitamin supplements, blood pressure medication and maximum doses of anti-cholesterol drugs.

The study carried out on 469-patients with narrowed carotids, but no other symptoms indicates, with intensive medical therapy one can dramatically reduce microscopic clots developing from plaque and travelling to the brain. Stroke is often the result of clots large in size.

Since, patients with micro emboli or microscopic clots have a 1% chance only of suffering a debilitating or fatal stroke, and chances of a stroke or death related to surgery or stenting is as high as 5%, it is essential that doctors use ultrasound tests called Transcranial Doppler Embolus Detection to determine whether carotid-cleansing surgery or stenting would benefit patients with microscopic clots.

Studies validate stroke prevention strategies, including more aggressive cholesterol and blood pressure control as the better way, rather than surgery.