A stroke occurs when an artery in the brain is either blocked or hemorrhages, seeping blood into the brain. According to the National Stroke Association, stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States but is the principal cause of...
All tissues in the human body require oxygen to function properly. The circulatory system, which includes the heart, blood and blood vessels, deliver dissolved oxygen gas to the body through arteries. There are two main pairs of arteries that...
Doctors call a broken blood vessel in the brain a hemorrhagic stroke. This differs from an ischemic stroke, in which a blood vessel in the brain is blocked, but does not rupture. Hemorrhagic stroke can be a life-threatening condition, and prompt...
A stroke is a sudden loss of or damage to brain function due to an interruption of oxygen-rich blood from the arteries to and within the brain. This lack of normal blood flow damages or kills brain cells in the affected area. A stroke that affects...
Stroke is a disease that affects the vessels supplying blood to the brain, according to the American Heart Association. Oxygen deprivation because of interrupted or reduced blood supply to the brain causes a stroke. A stroke can also form from too...
Blood pressure is the measure of force exerted by the blood against the artery walls. Blood pressure readings are important because higher readings are associated with cardiovascular disease.
The American Heart Association says that stroke is the number 3 killer disease in the United States, after heart disease and cancer. A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is reduced or blocked entirely. When this happens, the brain is...
Your body works like a well-oiled machine. When there is even a slight change in the way it functions, there can be negative consequences. With a stroke, there is a change in the amount of blood available to the brain. Parts of the brain won't get...
Any number of things can cause arteries in the brain to spasm and restrict blood flow, according to the McKinley Health Center at the University of Illinois. The brain's response is to release serotonin. This constricts the arteries even more and...
Highly acidic blood -- also known as acidosis -- can cause bone loss, arthritic degeneration and damage to the brain, arteries and kidneys. Symptoms of acidosis include insomnia, migraine headaches, halitosis and a burning sensation in the mouth...
Found in the neck, the carotid arteries supply oxygen rich blood to the brain. The arteries lie on each side of the jaw and run down the side of the neck. Some individuals experience a narrowing of these arteries because of plaque buildup. Also, a...
Blood flows through your brain constantly and carries the oxygen that you need to sustain a wide variety of automatic and conscious processes. When you exercise, your brain and body need extra oxygen, and your blood flow increases accordingly to...
Those with heart disease, particularly conditions that can cause what's known as atrial fibrillation, are at a greatly increased risk for an embolus formation. An embolus is a blood clot that forms somewhere in a blood vessel and is known as a...
A health condition that affects the blood circulatory system of the body is known as a vascular disease. Blood vessels are elastic tubes that carry blood and oxygen to different parts of the body. Deposition of plaque or fat on the inner walls of...
Strokes, also known as cerebrovascular accidents, occur in the brain and are caused by a number of contributing factors, such as narrowed or clogged arteries leading to the brain. Arteries carry blood-rich oxygen and nutrients to the brain tissue,...
Type 2 diabetes can present long-term health challenges for those affected by the disease. Monitoring blood sugar by counting the amount of carbs in your diet is the most widely acknowledged form of diet restructuring that occurs in someone with...
When people have high cholesterol and high levels of triglycerides, they are considered to have a lipid disorder, MedlinePlus reports. Triglycerides and cholesterol are fatty substances that are found in the blood and can cause health problems...
Hyperlipidemia -- excessive fat content of the blood -- is most frequently caused by a diet high in fats but can also be passed down through family genes. This is an insidious disease, meaning hyperlipidemia may be not show signs or symptoms. A...
Because breathing is largely an unconscious process, it's only when breathing becomes difficult that a person begins to take notice. The earth's atmosphere is 21 percent oxygen, which is enough to support human life until problems arise. When...
Vitamins should be an important part of everyone's daily intake. Whether consumed through food or through supplements, vitamins help make bodies run and decrease the risk of serious disease or sickness. Whether it is the ability to help fight the...
Polyphenols are naturally occurring antioxidants present in a variety of food sources. Penn State's College of Health and Human Development says that polyphenols may help in preventing or delaying certain cancer types, decrease the risk of heart...
High blood pressure is often referred to as the "silent killer," because there are often no outward symptoms that accompany it. The leading causes of death among Americans are heart disease and stroke, notes the University of Maryland Medical...
Hypertension is the result of the pressure in the arteries being higher than normal. The walls of the arteries are strong and pliable in order to handle the pressure generated when the heart beats. High blood pressure, however, can stretch the...
The carotid arteries are located in the front of your neck. They deliver oxygen and nutrients to your brain. When the arteries are blocked, you have a greater risk of suffering a stroke. A stroke can happen when fatty deposits close off the...
The University of Maryland Medical Center calls stroke the leading cause of disability among Americans, with 150,000 dying from stroke each year. Stroke occurs when oxygen is cut off from your brain due to blockage or rupture of one of the brain's...
Senile is a word derived from the Latin term that means old age. The term senility rarely is used anymore. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), senility is an outdated term that explained what was...
Marine biologists typically find canopies of kelp forests along the cool, clear coastal waters of the Pacific that encompass Alaska, Canada and northern California. Kelp creates "terrestrial rain forests" visible from the surface of the water due...
An oscillating massage can provide comfort for sore muscles in specific situations and can also enhance other body processes to increase vitality, according to a "Newsweek" article titled "Five Surprising Benefits of Massage." Any device that can...
Known as a "super fruit," popularity for pomegranate juice has grown in recent years due to its anti-oxidant properties. Although native to the Middle East, it has been cultivated throughout the Mediterranean region, Latin America and the drier...
Diabetes effects circulation in the body. Learn how poor circulation and diabetes can increase the chance of amputation in this free video from a nutritionist specializing in diabetic diets.
Angioplasty is the mechanical widening of blood vessels used to help sufferers of obstructed vessels. Learn more about angioplasty, including frequency and dangers, in this video.
Smoking can cause blood clots, which over time can induce a stroke. Learn some tips for preventing and treating strokes in this medical video.
Migraine headaches cause intense pain in the head and are often triggered by fatigue, stress and food. Learn about improving your diet to prevent migraines in this nutrition video.
