Stroke secondary to atherosclerosis Health Article

Definition

Stroke secondary to atherosclerosis refers to loss of neurologic functions (brain attack), which occurs because of atherosclerosis.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Stroke secondary to atherosclerosis affects about 2 out of 1,000 people, or approximately 50% of all those who have strokes.

Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) occurs when sticky, fatty substances called plaque build up in the inner lining of the arteries. The plaque may slowly block or narrow an artery or trigger a clot (thrombus). Clots can lead to stroke.

Risks for stroke secondary to atherosclerosis include:

• History of high blood pressure (hypertension)
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Smoking
• Transient ischemic attacks or other cerebrovascular disease
• High cholesterol
• High levels of homocysteine
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Kidney disease requiring dialysis

Symptoms

• Weakness or total inability to move a body part
• Numbness, loss of sensation
• Tingling or other abnormal sensations
• Decreased or loss of vision, which may be partial and/or temporary
• Language difficulties (aphasia)
• Inability to recognize or identify sensory stimuli (agnosia)
• Loss of memory
• Facial paralysis
• Eyelid drooping
• Vertigo (abnormal sensation of movement)
• Loss of coordination
• Swallowing difficulties
• Personality changes
• Mood and emotion changes
• Urinary incontinence (lack of control over bladder)
• Lack of control over the bowels
• Consciousness changes:
  • Sleepiness
  • Stupor 
  • Lethargy
  • Coma 
  • Unconsciousness

Signs and tests

Testing is the same as for stroke. Blood tests may show high cholesterol levels.

Other tests and procedures that may be performed include:

• Head CT scan
• Head MRI
• ECG (electrocardiogram)
• Echocardiogram (looks for a cardiac embolus)
• Carotid duplex (ultrasound)
• Transcranial Doppler (looks at blood vessels inside the brain)