Better diet, more exercise and quitting smoking can do more to reduce the risk of stroke in Australians than surgery.
Carotid artery stenosis occurs when fatty “plaques” build up in the arteries in the neck that help deliver blood to the brain.
A new study from Monash University shows that lifestyle changes and medication will reduce the risk of stroke as much, if not more, than invasive surgery.
Carotid artery surgery or the installation of stents – insertion of a tube to maintain the flow of arteries – are still common measures to reduce the risk of stroke.
But study author Anne Abbott said procedures often cause more harm than good.
“People need to understand that they have the greatest power to prevent their own stroke,” said Associate Professor Abbott.
“Healthy living habits, such as physical activity, diet and smoking cessation, combined with proper medication, help mitigate key risk factors.”
These risk factors include high blood pressure and cholesterol.
The risk of stroke in people with advanced carotid stenosis decreased by at least 65% in those taking noninvasive measures.
The study says this is the same, or better than, the stroke rate in patients who underwent surgery.
“Stroke rates are now so low with noninvasive intervention alone that carotid artery procedures are unlikely to benefit the vast majority of patients and have no current proven benefit for any patient,” he said. say Professor Assoc Abbott.