Cerebral vascular disease, medically noted as cerebrovascular disease, refers to any condition or disorder that interferes with the flow of blood to the brain. This includes narrowed blood vessels, or stenosis; formation of blood clots, or thrombosis; a blockage, or embolism; and a ruptured blood vessel, or hemorrhage. These conditions cause a lack of blood flow and, therefore, oxygen to the brain, resulting in often severe and life-threatening symptoms. The most common type of cerebrovascular disease is stroke, which is the third leading cause of death in the United States, according to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.
Dizziness
Vertigo, a specific type of dizziness, is often the first warning sign of a stroke, according to the Pennsylvania Neurological Associates. Vertigo is the sensation of spinning. Lightheadedness, another type of dizziness, may also occur due to cerebrovascular disease. Dizziness results from the lack of oxygen reaching the cells of the brain.
Confusion
As brain cells are deprived of oxygen, they cannot function and begin to die. As brain cells die, confusion sets in. Confusion manifests in a variety of ways. Although awake, the patient seems disoriented in time or place. Confusion affects short-term memory resulting in forgetfulness and the inability to carry out simple daily tasks. A loss of brain cells results in impaired intellectual capacity, causing confusion as the patient tries to remember what they know, they know. The state of confusion leads to frustration causing bizarre and uncharacteristic behavior.
Nausea
According to “Cerebrovascular Diseases,” nausea, often accompanied with vomiting, occurs in approximately 22 percent of patients experiencing an ischemic stroke--a lack of blood flow to the brain caused by a blockage. The dizziness, or vertigo, can cause the nausea. The lack of blood may also stimulate the vomiting center in the brain.
Numbness
Restricted blood flow in the brain interferes with the transmission of nerve signals. This causes numbness and tingling, which can escalate to paralysis. The numbness is typically felt on one side of the body, usually the opposite side from the part of the brain affected.
Speech Impairments
The lack of blood flow to the brain can affect the part of the brain responsible for speech. This leads to speech impairments including slurred speech and difficulty remembering a desired word. Those affected by cerebral vascular disease may be unable to repeat a complete sentence during the episode.
Vision Impairments
Vision impairments may occur, depending on the part of the brain affected by the cerebrovascular disease. When blood flow to the optic nerve, or the center that processes visual input, is restricted, vision may become blurry, double or even go black.
