You can schedule an appointment with our neurology team by calling 617-207-6143 or by submitting a request through our secure online form. We're here to support you every step of the way.
Cerebrovascular disease refers to the group of conditions that interfere with blood flow to your brain, such as strokes. Some of these conditions reduce blood flow because of a blockage. Others cause bleeding due to a rupture in blood vessels supplying blood to the brain. Cerebrovascular disease is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention—it's the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S.
Cerebrovascular disease is a general term describing all the conditions that affect blood supply to the brain. Your brain needs a constant supply of blood to function, and even a brief interruption in the blood supply can cause serious complications.
For most people, stroke is the most familiar form of cerebrovascular disease. Other types of cerebrovascular disease include stenosis (narrowing of the blood vessels) in the head and neck, aneurysms, and vascular malformations.
There are more kinds of cerebrovascular disease than most people are familiar with:
The most common cerebrovascular disease is stroke, partly because it can result from other cerebrovascular diseases. For instance, vascular malformations in the brain can cause a hemorrhagic stroke if the blood vessels are connected in a way that creates too much pressure, causing the blood vessels to rupture.
The causes of cerebrovascular disease depend on the specific condition.
Ischemic strokes are caused by blockages in the blood vessels, typically blood clots or fatty deposits in the arteries. Hemorrhagic strokes are usually the result of high blood pressure, which causes the brain's blood vessels to break.
Other, less common conditions have their own causes. They may result from a genetic condition, a developmental problem, or a traumatic injury.
Risk factors associated with cerebrovascular disease include:
Head trauma is an additional risk factor for developing a brain aneurysm.
The symptoms of cerebrovascular disease vary widely. Because these conditions affect the brain, it's possible to have symptoms in many parts of the body, depending on what part of the brain is affected. Some of the most common are:
What are the early signs of a stroke? DaMarcus Baymon, MD, Emergency Medicine Physician at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Faulkner Hospital, describes how to quickly identify stroke symptoms using the F.A.S.T. acronym.
If you have symptoms of cerebrovascular disease, your doctor will perform a physical examination to determine what condition you might have. They may also order other tests, such as medical imaging, to better understand the problem.
Common tests for cerebrovascular disease include:
Treatments for cerebrovascular disease vary depending on the condition you have.
Vascular specialists can treat other cerebrovascular diseases with appropriate therapy. They'll develop a personalized plan based on:
They may recommend lifestyle changes to reduce your risk and medical treatments. These may include surgery or vascular medications to reduce clots, lower blood pressure, or lower fats in the blood.
Often, ischemic strokes and other blockages can be treated with drugs to dissolve the blockage, while hemorrhagic strokes may require doctors to drain the blood to relieve pressure and seal the leak to prevent further bleeding. Depending on the location, cause, and severity of the stroke, you may be a candidate for surgery like stereotactic radiosurgery or endovascular surgery.
There are two options for severe carotid artery narrowing. Currently, standard open surgical treatment is the best recommendation for most patients.
After either standard carotid endarterectomy or balloon stent angioplasty, the progress of a patient’s carotid arteries is monitored with serial duplex ultrasound studies.
Emergency care for a ruptured cerebral aneurysm and treatment for a cerebral aneurysm that has not ruptured are provided by neurosurgical specialists.
Fortunately, many of the most significant risk factors for cerebrovascular disease are lifestyle factors you can control. To reduce your risk:
Getting treatment immediately is the most important factor in recovering from a cerebrovascular disease. The faster you're treated, the lower your risk of brain damage and the better your chances of recovery. The exact recovery and rehabilitation program you follow will vary by the condition, its severity, and the nature of the damage.
You'll often stay in the hospital for several days after your treatment. During that time, your care team will create an individual rehabilitation plan that may include physical therapy, speech therapy, psychological counseling, or other support based on the complications of your condition.
Cerebrovascular disease is a broad term describing any condition that affects blood flow to the brain. Stroke is one type of cerebrovascular disease, but there are others.
That depends on the specific condition. Cerebrovascular disease is a category of conditions that affect the brain's blood supply. The most common form of cerebrovascular disease is ischemic stroke, which is caused by blood clots or plaque build-up blocking the flow of blood to the brain.
The same lifestyle factors that help protect against cerebrovascular disease can also help maintain good blood flow to the brain. Staying active (especially aerobic exercise), quitting smoking, eating a diet high in antioxidants, and maintaining a healthy weight are all good for circulation.
If you suspect reduced blood flow to the brain, you should see a doctor immediately. Don't try to treat yourself with home remedies to increase blood flow. Cerebrovascular disease is a serious, often life-threatening set of conditions that require medical intervention as soon as possible.
Staying hydrated can improve blood flow throughout the body and is a great choice for overall health. In some cases, dehydration may be a contributing factor to stroke.
However, drinking water isn't a substitute for appropriate medical attention. If you have symptoms of a cerebrovascular condition, you should get medical care immediately.
Conditions that affect the brain are often serious or life-threatening. Some people make a full recovery with treatment and therapy, but others live with long-term disability after a cerebrovascular condition. Getting immediate treatment for cerebrovascular disease raises your chance of recovery. Your best protection is to reduce your risk as much as possible.
You can schedule an appointment with our neurology team by calling 617-207-6143 or by submitting a request through our secure online form. We're here to support you every step of the way.
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