Cerebrovascular disease is an umbrella term for conditions that affect the blood vessels in the brain. It can cause a reduction of blood flow to the brain (ischemia) or bleeding (hemorrhage) in a part of the brain, both of which are generally referred to as "stroke". Cerebrovascular diseases can affect both arteries and veins, including the carotid and vertebral arteries. Some common types of cerebrovascular disease include:
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Stroke: This is the most common type of cerebrovascular disease. It occurs when a blockage or rupture of a blood vessel in the brain prevents blood flow to a part of the brain, causing brain cells to die.
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Aneurysms: These are bulges in blood vessels that can rupture and cause bleeding in the brain.
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Arteriovenous malformations (AVM): These are abnormal tangles of blood vessels that can cause bleeding in the brain.
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Transient ischemic attack (TIA): This is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain that can cause stroke-like symptoms but usually resolves within a few minutes to hours.
Cerebrovascular disease can develop from a variety of causes, including atherosclerosis, thrombosis, embolic arterial blood clot, cerebral venous thrombosis, and more. Risk factors for cerebrovascular disease include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, smoking, and stress. Treatment for cerebrovascular disease depends on the specific condition and may include medications, surgery, or lifestyle changes. Its important to restore blood flow to the brain as soon as possible to prevent permanent disability or death.
