Cerebrovascular disease refers to a group of diseases that are characterized by a lack of blood flow to the brain. Strokes and transient ischemic attacks are the most common of these conditions, but there are many more besides these, including aneurysms and stenosis. While some of these diseases, such as aneurysms and strokes, can be fatal, most cerebrovascular diseases are manageable if you seek treatment in time.
Treatment for cerebrovascular diseases can include anything from medications to surgery and usually requires a combination of treatments. However, because cerebrovascular diseases are fatal if left untreated, it’s important to see a medical professional for diagnosis. Upon diagnosis, your doctor can get you on the right treatment plan, which will include one or more of the following.
Regardless of what type of cerebrovascular disease you have, medications are often part of the treatment plan. Medications can help increase blood flow to the brain by removing blockages, widening your vessels, or making your blood thinner. Medication is also necessary for ongoing care to keep your condition from recurring.
High cholesterol can lead to heart problems and cerebrovascular disease, and you may need medication to keep it low. Common cholesterol medications include atorvastatin and Fluvastatin.
A leading cause of cerebrovascular disease is when your blood thickens and clots. The most non-invasive treatment for blood clots is blood thinners, including apixaban and warfarin.
In addition to high cholesterol, high blood pressure is another leading cause of cerebrovascular disease. ACE inhibitors are the most common medication prescribed to lower blood pressure.
While medications are a great way to treat cerebrovascular conditions, they can result in unwanted side effects. Each medication will have different side effects depending on why you are taking it. However, they will usually include several or all of the following.
While medications are a good option for minor or quick fixes, they aren’t always enough to treat every form of cerebrovascular disease. Serious problems will require surgery to make a lasting recovery.
Stenting is when a doctor inserts a metal tube or coil into your carotid arteries to make them wider. Stenting is necessary if your vessels have become too narrow and are keeping blood from flowing to your brain.
A carotid angioplasty is often done in conjunction with stenting. During the angioplasty, your doctor will insert a balloon into your carotid arteries and inflate it to open up your arteries. They will then perform stenting to keep the arteries open if there’s a chance they’ll close again.
If you have a single blood clot that’s blocking blood flow, a thrombectomy can remove it. A thrombectomy is where your doctor uses suction to suck the clot out of your artery.
In serious cases, your doctor can perform bypass surgery to reroute the flow of blood around a blockage. Bypass surgery is especially effective for treating coronary heart disease with angina.
If your surgeon is unable to suck a blood clot out of your artery or remove it with other methods, they will perform an endarterectomy. An endarterectomy is where your doctor surgically removes a blood clot.
Cerebrovascular diseases are serious health conditions that can lead to death or severely inhibit your way of life. Therefore, it’s vital to seek a diagnosis from a medical professional if you suspect you have cerebrovascular disease. Only doctors can prescribe the medications that are necessary to treat your condition and perform life-saving surgeries.