What should I do about carotid artery atherosclerotic plaques?

Intimal thickening of the carotid artery or formation of carotid plaques indicates systemic atherosclerosis. The presence of carotid plaques significantly increases the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, and lower-limb arterial disease. So, what should be done about carotid atherosclerotic plaques?

Management of Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaques

Carotid atherosclerotic plaques require conservative management. Conservative treatment can slow the progression of atherosclerosis and may include antiplatelet therapy (e.g., aspirin) and lipid-lowering therapy (e.g., statins). Patients with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or hyperglycemia should receive appropriate and effective treatment for these conditions. Additionally, maintaining emotional stability, adhering to regular work–rest schedules, and following a light, low-salt, low-fat, high-fiber diet are essential.

For patients with carotid plaques, it is crucial first to maintain emotional well-being—avoiding anxiety, excessive excitement, and especially anger, which can elevate intracranial pressure and trigger cerebrovascular or cardiovascular events. Second, patients must adhere to a light, healthy diet, avoiding high-fat, high-sugar, and greasy foods. For example, they should consume more fresh vegetables and fruits while limiting or avoiding sweets altogether. Furthermore, patients should regularly take medications that inhibit platelet aggregation and stabilize plaques—such as enteric-coated aspirin and rosuvastatin calcium tablets.

Patients must also maintain a regular daily routine—going to bed early, rising early, and eating three balanced meals at consistent times each day. We hope this information proves helpful to you.