The narrowing of arteries in the walls of arteries in the brain is known as cerebral arteriosclerosis. The thickening or narrowing is usually caused by a build of plaque. Arteries are the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from the heart to the rest of the body.
With age, fat and cholesterol starts collecting in the arteries and form plaque. The buildup of plaque makes it tough for blood to flow through the arteries. If the walls of an artery become too thick or a blood clot gets caught in the narrow passage, the flow of blood to the brain can get blocked and cause ischemic stroke.
Cerebral arteriosclerosis is related to a condition called vascular dementia in which symptom-free strokes cause cumulative damage and death of neurons. There are personality changes in the elderly like apathy, weeping, transient befuddlement or irritability which can indicate the presence of cerebral arteriosclerosis in the brain.
Risk Factors of Cerebral Arteriosclerosis
There are many factors that play a role in the development of cerebral arteriosclerosis. There are few factors that can be put under control while some of them can’t. The risk factors include:
- Family history
- Lack of regular workout
- Diet
- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- Diabetes
Treatment for Cerebral Arteriosclerosis
The treatment for cerebral arteriosclerosis includes medications and surgery. Some preventive measures to control high blood pressure can also be recommended by physicians. These tips include high blood pressure, quitting smoking and reducing cholesterol levels.
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