As a certain children’s song likes to say, all parts of the body are connected. That includes two of the most important organs: the brain and the heart. What happens in one affects the performance of the other. If the blood vessels flowing into your brain are impaired, damaged or deformed to the extent that blood flow is interrupted, it could cause a lot of problems, including strokes.
Conditions stemming from problems in the arteries of the brain can all come under the heading of cerebrovascular disease. Strokes are some of the most notorious, along with the so-called “mini-stroke” or transient ischemic attack (TIA). Then there are aneurysms, subarachnoid hemorrhages and even vascular dementia. A sudden incident is known as a cerebrovascular accident (CVA).
Things that contribute to cerebrovascular disease include high blood pressure and atherosclerosis (lesions on the walls of the arteries blocking blood flow). Less common causes include other forms of artery deformity or damage, as well as various rare congenital conditions. This means you can’t control every factor, but some of the risks can be reduced through lifestyle changes like a better diet and more exercise.
You might be familiar with the acronym “FAST”, often used as a shorthand to identify the most common symptoms of strokes. It stands for Face (is it drooping on one side?), Arm (is it too weak to lift?), Speech (is it slurred?) and Time (to call 911, immediate medical intervention is vital to minimize impact). Not every stroke follows this pattern, but it’s the easiest way to spot one.
Other cerebrovascular conditions may cause physical or cognitive impairments, from headaches and dizziness to memory loss and speech difficulties. Limb paralysis can occur, and in the most severe cases, strokes can be fatal. That’s why trying to avoid them where possible, and treating them quickly when not, is so important.
Treatment may be as simple as blood thinning medication, as well as medication to control any hypertension or high cholesterol. In some cases, surgery may be needed to repair or reconstruct the arteries. The best approach is to try to avoid it in the first place, but that’s not always possible.
Cerebrovascular disease has implications for how you move, talk and think. It shows just how important the brain can be and how serious it is when something goes wrong. Don’t dismiss it.
