Cerebrovascular Disease

Cerebrovascular Disease includes a variety of medical conditions that affect the blood vessels of the brain and the cerebral circulation. Arteries supplying oxygen and nutrients to the brain are often damaged or deformed in these disorders. The most common presentation of cerebrovascular disease is an ischemic stroke or mini-stroke and sometimes a hemorrhagic stroke.

Diagnosing A Stroke
If your doctor suspects you’re having a stroke, they’ll perform tests to help them make a diagnosis. They can also use certain tests to determine the type of stroke.

First, your doctor will perform a physical exam. They’ll test your mental alertness, coordination, and balance. They’ll look for:
- numbness or weakness in your face, arms, and legs
- signs of confusion
- difficulty speaking
- difficulty seeing normally
If you’ve had a stroke, your doctor may also perform tests to confirm the type of stroke you’ve had and to make sure they’re giving you the right kind of treatment. Some common tests include:
- an MRI
- a magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA)
- brain CT scan
- a computed tomography angiogram (CTA)
- a carotid ultrasound
- a carotid angiogram
- an electrocardiogram (EKG)
- an echocardiogram
- blood tests
What Are The Causes Of Cerebrovascular Disease?
Conditions that fall under the heading of cerebrovascular disease include:
- Stroke: The most common type of cerebrovascular disease. The hallmark of a stroke is the permanent loss of sensation or motor function. The two general categories of strokes are hemorrhagic (bleeding into the brain) or ischemic (insufficient blood flow to the brain).
- Transient ischemic attack (TIA): This is similar to a stroke, but the symptoms completely resolve within 24 hours. TIA is sometimes referred to as a “mini stroke.”
- Aneurysms of blood vessels supplying the brain: An aneurysm is caused by a weakening of the artery wall, resulting in a bulge in the blood vessel.
- Vascular malformations: This refers to abnormalities present in arteries or veins.
- Vascular dementia: Cognitive impairment that is usually permanent.
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage: This term is used to describe blood leaking out of a blood vessel onto the brain’s surface.
Cerebrovascular Disease
Cerebrovascular disease includes a variety of medical conditions that affect the blood vessels of the brain and the cerebral circulation. Arteries supplying oxygen and nutrients to the brain are often damaged or deformed in these disorders. The most common presentation of cerebrovascular disease is an ischemic stroke or mini-stroke and sometimes a hemorrhagic stroke. Hypertension (high blood pressure) is the most important contributing risk factor for stroke and cerebrovascular diseases as it can change the structure of blood vessels and result in atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis narrows blood vessels in the brain, resulting in decreased cerebral perfusion. Other risk factors that contribute to stroke include smoking and diabetes. Narrowed cerebral arteries can lead to ischemic stroke, but continually elevated blood pressure can also cause tearing of vessels, leading to a hemorrhagic stroke.
Symptoms Of Cerebrovascular Disease
The symptoms of cerebrovascular disease may differ slightly depending on the specific condition you have. However, stroke is the most common presentation of cerebrovascular diseases.

Strokes are characterized by sudden onset of symptoms, and survival and functional outcomes are time-sensitive. To help you identify the warning signs of a stroke, use the acronym FAST:
- Facial droop: One side of the face may appear “droopy” or the person may be unable to smile.
- Arm weakness: The person is unable to raise their arm above their head
- Speech difficulty: The person has slurred speech, is unable to find words, or is unable to understand what people are saying to them
- Time to call 902/908 : Immediately seek medical attention if even one of these symptoms is present.
Other symptoms of /a TIA or stroke include:
- severe headache
- vertigo or dizziness
- vomiting and nausea
- memory loss or confusion
- numbness and tingling in the arm, leg, or face, usually on only one side of the body
- slurred speech
- vision problems
- difficulty or inability to walk
What Are The Different Types Of Strokes?
There are three main types of stroke: transient ischemic attack, ischemic stroke, and hemorrhagic stroke. It’s estimated that 87 percent of strokes are ischemic.

Transient ischemic attack
Doctors also call a transient ischemic attack (TIA) a warning or ministroke. Anything that temporarily blocks blood flow to your brain causes a TIA. The blood clot and TIA symptoms last for a short period of time.

Ischemic stroke
An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot keeps blood from flowing to your brain. The blood clot is often due to atherosclerosis, which is a buildup of fatty deposits on the inner lining of a blood vessel. A portion of these fatty deposits can break off and block blood flow in your brain. The concept is similar to that of a heart attack, where a blood clot blocks blood flow to a portion of your heart.

An ischemic stroke can be embolic, meaning the blood clot travels from another part of your body to your brain. An estimated 15 percent of embolic strokes are due to a condition called atrial fibrillation, where your heart beats irregularly.

A thrombotic stroke is an ischemic stroke caused by a clot forming in a blood vessel in your brain.

Unlike a TIA, the blood clot that causes an ischemic stroke won’t go away without treatment.

Hemorrhagic stroke
A hemorrhagic stroke results when a blood vessel in your brain ruptures or breaks, spilling blood into the surrounding tissues.

There are three main types of hemorrhagic strokes: The first is an aneurysm, which causes a portion of the weakened blood vessel to balloon outward and sometimes rupture. The other is an arteriovenous malformation, which involves abnormally formed blood vessels. If such a blood vessel ruptures, it can cause a hemorrhagic stroke. Lastly, very high blood pressure can cause weakening of the small blood vessels in the brain and result in bleeding into the brain as well.
What Is A Stroke?
A stroke is a medical emergency that happens when the blood flow to your brain is interrupted. Without blood, your brain cells start to die. This can cause serious symptoms, lasting disability, and even death. There’s more than one kind of stroke. Keep reading to learn about the three main types of strokes, their symptoms, and treatments.
Preventing Cerebrovascular Disease
Although cerebrovascular disease is a fairly common medical condition, there are things you can do to help prevent it.

Several health behaviors are associated with reducing stroke risk:
- not smoking, or stopping if you do
- following a healthy, balanced diet
- controlling your high blood pressure
- lowering your blood cholesterol
- exercising
- losing weight if you’re overweight
- being aware of the risks of any type of hormone replacement therapy
- visiting your doctor regularly for annual checkups
- lowering your stress levels
- reducing the amount of alcohol you drink
Preventing cerebrovascular disease is always the best goal. However, if you think someone around you is having stroke-like symptoms, call 911 immediately. Getting immediate medical attention will help give the best chance for full recovery
Complications Of Cerebrovascular Disease
Complications of cerebrovascular disease that may develop include:
- Permanent disability
- Loss of cognitive functions
- Partial paralysis in some limbs
- Speech difficulties
- Memory loss
There is also a possibility of death from a cardiovascular event that is serious or doesn’t get immediate medical attention.
Outlook and Life Expectancy For Cerebrovascular Disease
Cerebrovascular disease or stroke was on the list of leading causes of death.

For people who survive a stroke, the two most important outcomes are functional outcomes and life expectancy. These are determined by the specific condition causing the stroke, the severity of the stroke, and the individual’s response to rehabilitation therapy.

A cerebrovascular disease, especially a stroke, must receive immediate medical attention to have the best outcomes.

Depending on the severity of your condition, you may be left with permanent mental disability, problems with mobility, or weakness or paralysis in your arms, face, or legs.

However, with immediate medical attention, medications, surgery, interventional procedures, or a combination of these, many people return to normal functionality.
What Complications Can A Stroke Cause?
A stroke is a medical emergency for a reason — it can have life-threatening consequences. The brain controls the major functions of human life. Without blood flow, your brain can’t manage breathing, blood pressure, and much more. Complications can vary according to the stroke type and if you are able to successfully receive treatment. Examples of complications include:

Behavior changes: Having a stroke can contribute to depression or anxiety. You also may experience changes in your behavior, such as being more impulsive or more withdrawn from socializing with others.

Speech difficulties: A stroke can impact areas of your brain having to do with speech and swallowing. As a result, you may have difficulty reading, writing, or understanding other people when they’re speaking.

Numbness or pain: A stroke can cause numbness and decreased sensation in parts of your body. This can be painful. Sometimes injury to the brain can also affect your ability to sense temperature. This condition is known as central stroke pain and can be difficult to treat.

Paralysis: Because of the way your brain works to direct movement, a stroke in the right side of your brain can affect movement on the left side of your body and vice-versa. Those who’ve had a stroke may not be able to use facial muscles or move an arm on one side.

You may be able to regain lost motor function, speech, or swallowing abilities after a stroke through rehabilitation. However, these can take time to regain.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Stroke?
The different stroke types cause similar symptoms because each affects blood flow in your brain. The only way to determine what type of stroke you may be having is to seek medical attention. A doctor will order imaging tests to view your brain.

The National Stroke Association Trusted Source recommends the FAST method to help identify the warning signs of a stroke:
- Face: When you smile, does one side of your face droop?
- Arms: When you raise both arms, does one arm drift down?
- Speech: Is your speech slurred? Are you having trouble talking?
- Time: If you experience any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately.
Additional symptoms that don’t fit in the FAST description include:
- sudden confusion, such as difficulty understanding what a person is saying
- difficulty walking, sudden dizziness, or loss of coordination
- sudden, severe headache that doesn’t have any other known cause
- difficulty seeing in one or both eyes
A TIA will cause these symptoms for a short amount of time, usually anywhere from one to five minutes. However, you shouldn’t ignore stroke symptoms, even if they go away quickly.

Treatments

How Are Strokes Treated
Treatments for stroke depend on many factors. These include what kind it is and how long it lasted. The sooner you can seek help after a stroke, the more likely you’ll have a better recovery. TIA Treatments for TIA include taking medications that will help prevent future strokes. These medications include antiplatelets and anticoagulants. Antiplatelets reduce the likelihood that components of your blood called platelets will stick together and cause a clot. Aspirin and clopidogrel (Plavix) are antiplatelet medications. Anticoagulants are medications that reduce the buildup of clotting proteins. Several different types of these medications exist, including warfarin (Coumadin) and dabigatran (Pradaxa). A doctor may also recommend a surgery called a carotid endarterectomy. This removes plaque buildup in the carotid artery of your neck, which is a major cause of stroke. Ischemic stroke: The ischemic stroke treatments you receive depend on how quickly you get to a hospital. They also depend on your individual medical history. If you seek treatment within three hours for this type of stroke, your doctor may be able to give you a medication known as tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). This medication, which is delivered through an IV, can dissolve the clot. However, not all people can receive tPA due to risks for bleeding. Your doctor has to carefully consider your medical history before administering TPA. Doctors can use procedures to physically remove the clot or deliver clot-busting medications to your brain. Hemorrhagic stroke: Hemorrhagic stroke treatments involve trying to stop bleeding in your brain and reduce the side effects associated with brain bleeding. Side effects may include increased intracranial pressure. Surgical procedures include surgical clipping or coiling. These are designed to keep the blood vessel from bleeding further. You may be given medications to reduce intracranial pressure. You may also need blood transfusions to increase the amount of blood-clotting materials in your blood to try to stop bleeding. View

How Are Strokes Treated

Treatments for stroke depend on many factors. These include what kind it is and how long it lasted. The sooner you can seek help after a stroke, the more likely you’ll have a better recovery.

TIA

Treatments for TIA include taking medications that will help prevent future strokes. These medications include antiplatelets and anticoagulants.

Antiplatelets reduce the likelihood that components of your blood called platelets will stick together and cause a clot. Aspirin and clopidogrel (Plavix) are antiplatelet medications.

Anticoagulants are medications that reduce the buildup of clotting proteins. Several different types of these medications exist, including warfarin (Coumadin) and dabigatran (Pradaxa).

A doctor may also recommend a surgery called a carotid endarterectomy. This removes plaque buildup in the carotid artery of your neck, which is a major cause of stroke.

Ischemic stroke:

The ischemic stroke treatments you receive depend on how quickly you get to a hospital. They also depend on your individual medical history.

If you seek treatment within three hours for this type of stroke, your doctor may be able to give you a medication known as tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). This medication, which is delivered through an IV, can dissolve the clot. However, not all people can receive tPA due to risks for bleeding. Your doctor has to carefully consider your medical history before administering TPA.

Doctors can use procedures to physically remove the clot or deliver clot-busting medications to your brain.

Hemorrhagic stroke:

Hemorrhagic stroke treatments involve trying to stop bleeding in your brain and reduce the side effects associated with brain bleeding. Side effects may include increased intracranial pressure. Surgical procedures include surgical clipping or coiling. These are designed to keep the blood vessel from bleeding further.

You may be given medications to reduce intracranial pressure. You may also need blood transfusions to increase the amount of blood-clotting materials in your blood to try to stop bleeding.

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How It’s Treated
The specific treatment depends on the type of cerebrovascular disease that you have. However, the treatment centers on improving your brain’s blood flow. Based on the cause of the loss of blood flow, your doctor will choose among several treatment options. The most effective treatment for you will depend on the extent of the loss of blood flow. Most cases of cerebrovascular disease are treated with medications. These medications may include: • blood pressure medications • cholesterol medications • blood thinners Medications are usually given to people whose arteries are less than 50 percent blocked or narrowed. In more severe cases, surgery to remove plaque or blockages, or to insert a stent may be required. If brain function has already been reduced or altered by a cerebrovascular disease, then you may need to have physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy as a part of the recovery process. View

How It’s Treated

The specific treatment depends on the type of cerebrovascular disease that you have. However, the treatment centers on improving your brain’s blood flow. Based on the cause of the loss of blood flow, your doctor will choose among several treatment options. The most effective treatment for you will depend on the extent of the loss of blood flow.

Most cases of cerebrovascular disease are treated with medications. These medications may include:

• blood pressure medications
• cholesterol medications
• blood thinners

Medications are usually given to people whose arteries are less than 50 percent blocked or narrowed. In more severe cases, surgery to remove plaque or blockages, or to insert a stent may be required.

If brain function has already been reduced or altered by a cerebrovascular disease, then you may need to have physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy as a part of the recovery process.

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