Any problem that disrupts the normal blood flow in the blood vessels of the brain can cause cerebrovascular disease. “Cerebro” is the word that denotes large part of the brain and the word “vascular” denotes arteries and veins. Hence any problem in the blood vessels of the brain causes various types of diseases which are collectively called cerebrovascular disease. It can be a stroke, a transient ischemic attack or a vascular dementia or an aneurysm. The blood vessel gets narrowed due to clot formation, stenosis or blockage or rupture.
How does blood supply is managed in your brain?
Two major arteries by name carotid and vertebral arteries supply blood to the brain. The carotid artery is located in your neck portion and it divides into two namely external arteries (supply blood to the face) and internal arteries that supply blood to your skull. Once it reaches the skull, it again divides into two big arteries namely the anterior cerebral artery and many smaller arteries. These are the major arteries that supply blood to major portion of the front brain.
The back portion of the brain gets blood supply from vertebral arteries. It joins the brain stem as a big basilar artery. The vertebrobasilar system divides into many branches to form set of posterior cerebellar artery and posterior meningeal artery which are responsible for supplying back portion of your brain. Any abnormality in these two major arteries can disrupt the major blood supply to the brain causing cerebrovascular diseases. Sometimes fat particles join together to form plaque like structure on these arteries thus blocking the normal blood flow. Without proper supply of blood and oxygen there may be death of brain cells which can occur within few minutes.
How a diagnosis is made?