Cerebral ischemia is defined as a reduction of blood and oxygen flow to the brain due to a blockage or the thinning of the artery leading to the brain. Interruption of the blow to any part of the brain could cause permanent brain damage. The occurrence of cerebral ischemia may show no signs and symptoms, which make its existence difficult to predict unless a test is conducted on the patient.
Fast Heart Rate
The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that a change in heart rate can result in cerebral ischemia. This occurs due to a fast, heart rate, which reduces the blood and oxygen supply to the brain. The brain requires a constant supply of blood in order to function properly. When the heart pumps too fast, there is not enough time for it to fill up adequately, so less blood is pumped out to the body, including the brain. This results in cerebral ischemia.
Cerebral Vasospasm
Cerebral vasospasm can cause cerebral ischemia. Brain-Aneurysm defines it as the narrowing of the central blood vessel in the brain due to the narrowing of the vessel walls. When the vessels get narrowed, obstruction occurs to blood flow. This deprives the brain of oxygen and glucose, which the brain needs to function adequately. A ruptured brain aneurysm can cause vasospasm in the brain. Brain-Aneurysm defines a ruptured brain aneurysm as the rupture of a weakened artery in the brain, where heavy bleeding occurs.
Head Injury
A head injury can lead to cerebral ischemia. A head injury can be a minor bump on the head or a serious injury of the brain. As MedlinePlus.com describes it, a closed head injury can be attributed to a strike on the head with a hard object, which does not penetrate the brain. In an open head injury, an object that hit the head has broken the skull and entered the brain. These head injuries can cause clotting of the blood flowing in the cerebral artery to the brain. This thereby disrupts the blood flow to the brain, causing ischemia.
