Dear Dr. SerVaas: Over the past several years, I have had three ministrokes. I just recently had a test to find out how much blockage there was in my carotid artery. There was 70 percent blockage, and my doctor told me that if there is no improvement, I will have to have surgery.

I would like to know if there is a diet that would help lower this blockage.

Any information you can give me will be appreciated. Thank you.

William M. Courtney
Ephrata, Pennsylvania

Dear Reader: Surgery to remove plaque in a carotid artery is called a carotid endarterectomy. Your letter doesn't mention the condition of your other carotid artery. We are aware of one case history in which there was 85 percent blockage in the left carotid and 25 percent in the right. This candidate for an endarterectomy chose a dramatic change in his lifestyle. He went on a low-fat/high-fiber diet, daily exercise regimen, and generous morning and evening doses of vitamin C, SlowMag, folic acid, B6, and B12.

Twenty years later, his blockage was reduced to less than 35 percent on the left and 15 percent on the right. He is no longer a candidate for an endarterectomy and continues to be a civic leader in his community.

Please check your library for these copies of The Saturday Evening Post, which contain articles giving good low-fat/high-fiber recipes and research information about exercise for good cardiovascular health: May/June 2000, page 12; Sept./Oct. 1999, page 18; Jan./Feb. 1995, page 20; and May/June 1991, page 18.

Pathologists have discovered during autopsies that some patients with blocked carotids had established sufficient auxiliary circulation through their vertebral arteries in the back of the neck. This enabled them to keep from having a stroke during their lifetime. About 20 percent of strokes are linked to blocked carotid arteries.

Physicians check for blocked carotids by placing a stethoscope on the side of the neck. If they hear a slushing sound known as a bruit, an ultrasound test or magnetic resonance angiography can measure the degree of narrowing. Research shows that carotid endarterectomy by an experienced surgeon may reduce the risk of stroke in carefully selected patients.