Brain Health

What is Cerebral Vascular Insufficiency?
Cerebral vascular insufficiency refers to decreased blood supply to the brain. It is extremely common among the elderly in developed countries due to the high prevalence of atherosclerosis (progressive hardening and narrowing of the arteries). The artery affected in most cases of cerebral vascular insufficiency is the carotid artery. A pair of carotid arteries—one on each side of the neck running parallel to the internal jugular veins—are the main arteries that supply blood to the brain.

Typically, atherosclerosis develops at the carotid bifurcation—the point where the carotid artery splits into the internal (supplying the brain) and external (supplying the face and scalp) branches. This bifurcation is similar to a stream splitting into two branches. At the bifurcation, just like the splitting of the stream, debris and sediment accumulates. Significant symptoms begin to appear in most cases only when the blockage of the artery has reached 90%. This situation is similar to what occurs in angina (chest pain) when arteries supplying the heart muscles become blocked.

Symptoms of cerebral vascular insufficiency are caused by a reduced blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain and include unclear vision, headaches, lack of attention and memory loss. Severe disruption of blood and oxygen supply results in a stroke. The official definition of a stroke is “loss of nerve function for at least 24 hours due to lack of oxygen.” Some strokes are quite mild; others can leave a person paralysed, in a coma, or unable to talk, depending on which part of the brain is affected. Smaller “mini-strokes”, or transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs), may result in loss of nerve function for an hour or more, but less than 24 hours. TIAs may produce transient symptoms of cerebral vascular insufficiency such as dizziness, ringing in the ears, blurred vision and confusion.

What Causes Cerebral Vascular Insufficiency?
In most cases, cerebral vascular insufficiency is a consequence of atherosclerosis.

Related Products