London, Nov 26 (IANS): A simple ultrasound examination can be used to identify patients at increased risk of future stroke, says a study.

The findings suggest that since surgical treatment to prevent stroke is only considered beneficial to some, ultrasound can prove useful in preventing unnecessary surgical intervention.

"By using ultrasound, we can identify the patients who are at a higher risk of stroke and thus would benefit from surgery,” said study author Fisnik Jashari, doctoral student at Umea University in Sweden.

Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, is an inflammatory disease affecting the arteries supplying the brain, heart, other organs and extremities with oxygen-rich blood.

A well-established atherosclerosis disease, with accumulation of plaque narrowing the arteries, can obstruct the blood supply to the brain and other vital organs.

Atherosclerosis in the neck arteries can cause stroke. The serious condition, known as carotid stenosis, is quite common in the elderly as well as in people with risk factors such as hypertension, smoking, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and obesity.

Atherosclerosis disease progression can be controlled by medical treatment including cholesterol-lowering drugs, and significant narrowing in symptomatic patients can be treated surgically.

"We know that preventive surgical treatment of carotid stenosis is only beneficial for a small subgroup, and that most asymptomatic patients will do better with only medical therapy,” Jashari said.

To assess the nature of atherosclerosis disease and the extent of plaque build-up, the non-invasive ultrasound method can be used as it is radiation free, cheap and patient-friendly, the researcher said in an official statement.