Stroke prevention: Cleaning out the plaque in your carotid artery

A carotid endarterectomy involves making an incision in the neck, opening the carotid artery and physically removing the plaque build-up. — StarGraphics

A stroke occurs when an artery that carries oxygen and nutrients to and within the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts.

The most common type is an ischaemic stroke, which is caused by a blood clot or fatty deposits (plaques) blocking or narrowing an artery (resulting in stenosis).