The severity of plaque in carotid artery is generally decided according to the nature and size of the plaque, if the plaque is unstable plaque, how small is risky and considered serious, if it is stable plaque, if it affects the blood flow, it is considered serious, but there is no clear regulation on its size.
If the carotid plaque is an unstable plaque, i.e. soft plaque, it may rupture, bleed, or fall off at any time and cause cerebral infarction, so soft plaques, no matter how big or small, are very serious.
If the carotid plaque is a stable plaque, it is not considered serious if it does not cause stenosis and does not significantly affect the blood flow. If it affects the blood flow in the neck and causes stenosis, it can lead to insufficient cerebral blood supply and the risk of cerebral infarction, and is therefore considered serious, but its size is not clearly defined.
When carotid plaque is present, it is important to clarify the nature of the plaque and actively treat it under the guidance of a doctor to avoid further aggravation.