What is cerebrovascular disease?
Cerebrovascular disease refers to a group of conditions that affect blood flow and the blood vessels in the brain. Problems with blood flow may occur from blood vessels narrowing (stenosis), clot formation (thrombosis), artery blockage (embolism), or blood vessel rupture (hemorrhage).
What is cerebral vascular occlusion?
Definition. Cerebrovascular occlusive disease occurs when plaque accumulates inside the carotid arteries ― the large arteries in the neck that feed the brain. The condition can cause strokes.
Which cerebral artery is most commonly affected by stroke?
The middle cerebral artery (MCA) is the most common artery involved in acute stroke. It branches directly from the internal carotid artery and consists of four main branches, M1, M2, M3, and M4.
What is the most common cerebral artery occlusion site?
The largest vessel branching off the internal carotid artery, the middle cerebral artery (MCA) is the most common cerebral occlusion site.
What are the signs and symptoms of cerebrovascular disease?
Stroke
- Dizziness, nausea, or vomiting.
- Unusually severe headache.
- Confusion, disorientation or memory loss.
- Numbness, weakness in an arm, leg or the face, especially on one side.
- Abnormal or slurred speech.
- Difficulty with comprehension.
- Loss of vision or difficulty seeing.
- Loss of balance, coordination or the ability to walk.
Can cerebrovascular disease be cured?
Most cerebrovascular disease can be at least partially improved by lowering cholesterol, controlling blood pressure and diabetes and quitting smoking. this may require prescription medications or lifestyle changes, such as exercise and healthy eating, but the benefit of preventing a stroke is well worth it.
What type of stroke affects speech?
When stroke affects speech, it’s often the result of a left hemisphere stroke. This is because the language center of the brain resides in the left hemisphere.
Can you reverse cerebrovascular disease?
Although there is currently no treatment to reverse the damage that has already occurred, treatment to prevent additional strokes is very important. Medicines can be prescribed to control high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease or diabetes.
How is cerebral arteriosclerosis related to vascular dementia?
Cerebral arteriosclerosis is also related to a condition known as vascular dementia, in which small, symptom-free strokes cause cumulative damage and death to neurons (nerve cells) in the brain.
How does cerebral arteriosclerosis cause serious health problems?
Definition. Cerebral arteriosclerosis can cause serious health problems. If the walls of an artery are too thick, or a blood clot becomes caught in the narrow passage, blood flow to the brain can become blocked and cause an ischemic stroke. When the thickening and hardening is uneven, arterial walls can develop bulges (called aneurysms).
Why is it important to understand brain arterial vascular territories?
An understanding of brain arterial vascular territories is important in understanding stroke and complications from surgery and endovascular procedures. Although one could be excused for thinking that within the brain, such a carefully organized organ, blood supply would be constant, the truth is that a great deal of variety exists.
Where are the vascular territories of the PCA?
The vascular territory of the PCA is depicted in blue. The P1 segment extends from the PCA origin to the posterior communicating artery, contributing to the circle of Willis.