Carotid Artery Disease Prevention 

The following can help prevent a stroke: 

• Avoid fatty foods. Follow  a healthy, low-fat diet.
• Do not drink more than 1  to 2 alcoholic drinks a day. 
• Exercise regularly: 30 minutes a day if you  are not overweight; 60 - 90 minutes  a day if  you are overweight. 
• Quit smoking. 
• Get your  blood pressure checked every 1 - 2 years, especially if high  blood pressure runs  in your family. If you have high  blood pressure, heart disease,  or have had stroke, you need  to have it checked more often. Ask your doctor. 
• Everyone should keep their  blood pressure below 120-130/80 mmHg. If you have  diabetes or  have had a stroke, you  may need  to strive for a lower blood pressure. Ask your doctor what it should be. 
• Adults  should have their cholesterol checked every 5 years  and treated, if needed. If you have been treated  for high cholesterol, you will need it checked more often. 
• If you  have diabetes, heart disease, or hardening  of the arteries somewhere else in your body, your LDL "bad" cholesterol should be lower than 70 mg/dL. 
• Follow your doctor's  treatment recommendations if you  have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol,  and heart disease.