Cerebrovascular Conditions and Diseases
What are Cerebrovascular Conditions?
Cerebrovascular conditions affect the blood vessels that supply your brain with oxygen and nutrients. When these vessels narrow, become blocked, or rupture, parts of the brain can be damaged. These changes may happen suddenly or develop over time and can lead to life-threatening events such as stroke or brain hemorrhage.
Symptoms
Symptoms depend on the type and severity of the condition, but can include:
- Sudden numbness or weakness, often on one side of the body
- Trouble speaking or understanding speech
- Sudden vision changes
- Severe headache with no clear cause
- Loss of balance, coordination, or consciousness
Seek medical attention immediately if these symptoms appear, even if they last only a short time.
Causes
Cerebrovascular conditions may be caused by:
- Blood clots that block blood flow to the brain
- Ruptured blood vessels
- Narrowing of arteries due to plaque buildup
- Conditions that weaken blood vessel walls, such as aneurysms
Risk Factors
Your risk may be higher if you have:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- A family history of cerebrovascular disease
- Smoking or excessive alcohol use
- A sedentary lifestyle
Diagnosis
Your care team uses imaging tests such as CT scans, MRI scans, and ultrasound, along with blood tests and neurological exams, to find the cause and extent of the condition. This helps create a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Treatments
Treatment depends on the type of cerebrovascular condition and how quickly care is started. Options may include:
- Medications to dissolve blood clots or prevent new ones
- Surgery or minimally invasive procedures to repair blood vessels
- Lifestyle changes to reduce risk factors
- Rehabilitation therapy to restore movement, speech, and daily function
Your team walks beside you through every step, from urgent care to recovery.
Outlook
The outlook varies depending on the severity of the condition and how quickly treatment begins. Many people regain independence with early intervention and ongoing therapy.
Prevention
You can lower your risk by:
- Managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar
- Staying physically active
- Eating a balanced diet low in salt and saturated fats
- Avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol
- Keeping up with regular check-ups and screenings
Why Immediate Action Matters
Every minute counts when blood flow to the brain is interrupted. Quick diagnosis and treatment can protect brain function and improve recovery, helping you hold on to the moments that matter most.
Why Choose CHRISTUS Health
You deserve care that sees you as more than your symptoms. At CHRISTUS Health, your story matters — every worry, every hope, every step forward.
Here, caregivers take the time to listen before they act, to hold your hand before a procedure, and to celebrate each small milestone with you. Care is close to home, shaped around your needs, and ready when you are.
From your first visit to your last follow-up, you’ll have a team that treats you like family — walking with you through the hard days and cheering you on through the better ones.
Because your health journey isn’t just about getting better. It’s about feeling understood, supported, and never alone.