Final answer:
The management of carotid artery stenosis includes lifestyle changes, medications to lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and possibly surgical interventions such as angioplasty with stent placement or endarterectomy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The medical management of carotid artery stenosis primarily includes a combination of lifestyle modifications and medical interventions. Lifestyle changes are critical and include weight loss, smoking cessation, regular exercise, and dietary adjustments such as a diet low in sodium and saturated fats. Medications may also be prescribed to reduce cholesterol and blood pressure. In cases where these measures are not sufficient, surgical options like angioplasty with or without stent insertion and endarterectomy may be considered to directly address the narrowing within the arteries. Specifically for carotid artery stenosis, an endarterectomy involves the surgical removal of plaque from the carotid arteries in the neck, which can significantly improve blood flow to the brain. In some instances, coronary bypass surgery may be performed using a graft to bypass the occluded artery.