What are the causes of Cerebrovascular Disease?
Ischemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain is blocked by a blood clot. A clot may form in an artery that is already very narrow. This is called a thrombus. If it completely blocks the artery, it is called a thrombotic stroke. Also a clot may break off from somewhere in the body and travel up to the brain to block a smaller artery. This is called an embolism. It causes an embolic stroke. Ischemic strokes may also be caused by blood clots that form in the heart. These clots travel through the blood and can get stuck in the small arteries of the brain. This is known as a cerebral embolism. Certain drugs and medical conditions can make your blood more likely to clot and raise your risk for ischemic stroke. A common cause of ischemic stroke in people under age 40 is carotid dissection, or a tear in the lining of the carotid artery. The tear lets blood flow between the layers of the carotid artery. This causes narrowing of the carotid artery that is not due t
