No Need to Screen All Adults for Clogged Neck Arteries.

According to a new recommendation from the US Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF), the general population of adults should not be screened for narrowing of the neck arteries. Panelist Dr. Jessica Herzstein explains, “Carotid artery narrowing is uncommon in the general adult population, so screening everyone would lead to many false positive results. The USPSTF panel did recommend that screening should be reserved for patients at risk for the development of carotid artery blockage and stroke. This includes people over the age of 65 who are at high risk with conditions such as high cholesterol, heart disease, a family history of stroke, or a history of smoking.”
Preventive Services Task Force, February 2014