The size of the plaque at the common carotid bifurcation does not necessarily correlate with the risk, but mainly with the nature of the plaque and the degree of luminal narrowing it causes. Thicker carotid bifurcations with larger individual plaques do not necessarily cause luminal stenosis, whereas smaller plaques with thinner carotid bifurcations may cause luminal stenosis. Clinical risk is often assessed by the nature of the plaque and the degree of luminal narrowing it causes. In general, hard plaques or lumen narrowing of less than 50% are mostly asymptomatic and less dangerous; soft plaques, unstable plaques, or narrowing of more than 70% have a higher chance of carotid plaque dislodgement, ischemia of brain tissues, and carotid artery occlusion, which is also more dangerous. Early symptoms of plaque at the bifurcation of the common carotid artery are not obvious, and most of them are detected by carotid ultrasound during physical examination. If the ultrasound results suggest the presence of plaque at the carotid bifurcation, it is recommended that the next step of examination and treatment be carried out under the guidance of a doctor in a timely manner.