Objective To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture and Chinese medicine combined with western medicine in treating hypertension with carotid atherosclerosis. Methods Totally 162 cases of carotid atherosclerosis in hypertension were randomly divided into treatment group of 82 cases and control group of 80 cases. The control group was given regular western medicine

while the treatment group was given Gegen Qinlian Decoction and Acupuncture in addition. Three weeks were taken as one treatment course. Both groups were given treatment for 4 courses continuously. Before and after the treatment

carotid artery intima-media thickness（ IMT） and plaque area were tested

and changes of the blood pressure

total cholesterol（ TC）

triglyceride（ TG）

low density lipoprotein cholesterol（ LDL-C） levels and scores of Chinese medicine symptoms were observed. Results Bilateral IMT

carotid artery plaque area

scores of symptoms

blood pressure

levels of TC

TG and LDL-C decreased significantly after treatment（ P < 0. 01）. The improvement of bilateral plaque area

scores of symptoms

blood pressure

TC and LDL-C in the treatment group was greater than in the control group（ P < 0. 05 or P < 0. 01）. Conclusion Acupuncture and Chinese medicine combined with western medicine can effectively improve clinical symptoms

reduce carotid artery atherosclerosis

reduce blood fat

and delay carotid atherosclerosis process.