Are Genetics Involved With
Cerebrovascular Diseases?

Cerebrovascular Conditions

To better understand the types of conditions cerebrovascular issues cause, it may first help to familiarize yourself with the root terms of the word. “Cerebro” is the largest part of the brain, while “vascular” means arteries or veins. Given these terms, it makes sense that conditions within this category stem from issues within or with the arteries or veins that supply the brain. Cerebrovascular conditions include the following:

• Aneurysms
• Carotid stenosis
• Arteriovenous malformations (AVM)
• Arteriovenous fistula (AVF)
• Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCM)
• Carotid-cavernous fistula
• TIA and stroke

Genetics & Cerebrovascular Diseases

Genetics are largely involved in the development of cerebrovascular diseases. In fact, cerebrovascular diseases of all causes are largely caused by an inherited trait, with family history associated with a three-fold increase in risk for stroke. Moreover, research suggests that two main manifestations of cerebral small vessel disease (SVD), white matter lesions and SVD stroke are 16% to 50% inheritable, respectively. Monogenetic disorders constitute up to 5% of all strokes.

In laymen’s terms, family history plays a strong role in the development of cerebrovascular diseases. If you have a parent, grandparent, sister or brother who had a stroke, chances are that you will experience stroke in your lifetime as well.

Race & Cerebrovascular Diseases

Race also plays a role in the development of cerebrovascular diseases. It has been well-established that Blacks have a significantly greater risk of developing a cerebrovascular disease — particularly stroke — than Caucasians. Moreover, Blacks are more likely to die from stroke and other related conditions than Caucasians, as Blacks are more likely to live with other conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.

Other Risk Factors for Cerebrovascular Disease

Other risk factors contribute to a person’s risk for develop cerebrovascular disease, some of which are controllable and others that are not.

Controllable Risk Factors

There are several risk factors for stroke that you can control. Those are as follows:

• High Blood Pressure: Though some people are more predisposed to high blood pressure than others, you can control your blood pressure and, in the process, reduce your risk of stroke. Ideally, you will maintain blood pressure levels of 120/80, though a more realistic goal for people with hypertension may be 140/90 mmHg. By keeping your blood pressure within healthy ranges, you can drastically reduce your risk of having a stroke.
• Smoking: Smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your arteries and blood flow, as nicotine causes plaque to accumulate along the artery walls. For this reason, smoking is a major risk factor for stroke. You can significantly reduce your risk by quitting smoking and reducing your exposure to second-hand smoke.
• History of transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)
• Carotid or other artery diseases: The carotid artery is the artery in the neck that supplies blood to the brain. When this artery becomes narrowed by fatty deposits due to plaque build-up, they may become blocked, which restricts blood flow to the brain.
• Diabetes: Diabetes, especially when left untreated, puts a person at greater risk of stroke. For this reason, if you live with diabetes, it is critical that you manage your blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels and blood pressure levels.
• Physical Inactivity: Physical inactivity can lead to obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and, eventually, stroke.
• High Cholesterol: High cholesterol levels in the blood — meaning, 240 mg/dL or higher — can drastically increase your risk of heart disease which, in turn, increases your risk of stroke.
• Hormone Treatment: Recent research reveals that persons receiving hormone replacement therapy (HRT), have an increased risk of stroke of 29%.

Uncontrollable Risk Factors

While many risk factors for stroke you can control, there are a few you cannot do anything about. Including genetics, those are as follows:

• Age: People of all ages, including children, can have strokes. However, the likelihood of having a stroke increases with age, particularly after age 65.
• Prior Heart Attack or Stroke: Individuals who have a history of heart attack or stroke are more likely to have a first or subsequent stroke than others.
• Gender: Men are more likely to have a stroke or other cerebrovascular conditions than women.