Some individuals have a condition where arteries in the brain gradually become clogged with plaque and harden. Plaque can develop inside the arteries when excess fatty substances and cholesterol are present in the blood. The medical term for clogged brain arteries is intracranial atherosclerosis. For most people, no symptoms are present until blood can no longer flow through the arteries and they have a stroke.
Brain
Risk Factors
Risk factors for developing clogged brain arteries include controllable and noncontrollable factors. The risk of developing hardened brain arteries increases if a person smokes, is overweight, or suffers from high cholesterol, diabetes or high blood pressure. The chances of having this condition also rise if the individual has already had a stroke, has a family history of stroke or heart disease, or is of African-American, Asian or Hispanic heritage.
Diagnosis
If clogged arteries in the brain are suspected, a doctor may be able to diagnose the condition by looking at how the blood flows in the brain. This can be done using x-ray technology or sound waves to analyze blood flow. In most cases, the hardening of the brain arteries is not discovered until a stroke has already occurred.
Non-Surgical Treatments
There are a variety of methods to slow down the development of clogged brain arteries. Healthy lifestyle changes including losing excess weight, adopting a low-cholesterol and low-fat diet, exercising, not smoking and controlling blood pressure can reduce the plaque-causing components in the blood. A doctor may also prescribe medication to lower high blood pressure and cholesterol. To reduce the chance of a stroke, antiplatelet drugs may be prescribed to help prevent blood platelets from forming clots. Anticoagulant medication to thin blood may also be given.
Surgical Treatments
When the artery blockage in the brain is severe, a doctor may recommend surgical procedures to open clogged arteries. Angioplasty utilizes a small balloon that is inflated in the blocked area, compressing the plaque against the artery walls. Stenting is another process where a wire mesh tube is inserted in the clogged artery to open it up and allow blood flow.
Considerations
Because symptoms are not apparent with this condition, it is unknown exactly how many people suffer from clogged brain arteries. The National Stroke Association reports that as of October, 2009, approximately 70,000 people in the United States have a stroke each year caused by narrowed or clogged arteries in the brain. People who are concerned they may at risk for developing this condition should consult a physician.
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