text_1: Ultrasound of Neck Arteries May Help Gauge Stroke Risk
text_2: There were elements of this story that may have confused readers, but the money quotes from an independent expert helped clarify the take-home message:  ” (the) director of the Duke University Stroke Center, said that “what remains uncertain is whether surgical intervention would result in an overall improvement in stroke-free survival.” “It is also unclear how optimal medical management [lifestyle changes in addition to anti-platelet medication and statins] would affect overall stroke and cardiovascular risk, and stroke-free survival,” he said. Understanding that the actions taken on the basis of test results can have both harms and benefits is key to being able to make an informed decision about the true value of the test to the individual.