Jan 23 2021 Read 4688 Times After years criticism and scepticism from the medical industry, Australian neurologist Anne Abbott is gaining recognition for her research suggesting strokes can be prevented without surgical intervention. Instead of resorting to procedures such as carotid surgery and stents, Abbott says medication and lifestyle changes can play a significant role in reducing the risk of stroke due to the thickening of arteries, which can cause carotid stenosis and lead to blockages. “For decades, it was standard practice to operate on people who have carotid stenosis – by cutting open an artery and removing the narrowing,” added Abbott. “More recently, carotid stenting was introduced, and this is even more dangerous than surgery. But my research a decade ago showed, in many cases, these procedures are unnecessary or cause net harm,” says Abbott. “Major improvements can simply be made by medical – as opposed to procedural – interventions, such as the adoption of healthier lifestyles, anti-cholesterol drugs, taking blood pressure and cutting out smoking.”