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Other risk factors include alcoholism, low cholesterol, blood thinners, and cocaine use. [2] Diagnosis is typically by CT scan. [1] Treatment should typically be carried out in an intensive care unit due to strict blood pressure goals and frequent use of both pressors and antihypertensive agents.
Brain ischemia has been linked to a variety of diseases or abnormalities. Individuals with sickle cell anemia, compressed blood vessels, ventricular tachycardia, plaque buildup in the arteries, blood clots, extremely low blood pressure as a result of heart attack, and congenital heart defects have a higher predisposition to brain ischemia in comparison to the average population.
Cerebral infarction, also known as an ischemic stroke, is the pathologic process that results in an area of necrotic tissue in the brain (cerebral infarct). [1] In mid to high income countries, a stroke is the main reason for disability among people and the 2nd cause of death. [2]
Brain ischemia is insufficient blood flow to the brain, and can be acute or chronic. Acute ischemic stroke is a neurological emergency typically caused by a blood clot blocking blood flow in a vessel in the brain. [15] Chronic ischemia of the brain may result in a form of dementia called vascular dementia. [16]
People with cancer have an increased risk of blood clots in their veins which can be life-threatening. [208] The use of blood thinners such as heparin decrease the risk of blood clots but have not been shown to increase survival in people with cancer. [208] People who take blood thinners also have an increased risk of bleeding. [208]
The most common presentation of cerebrovascular disease is an ischemic stroke or mini-stroke and sometimes a hemorrhagic stroke. [2] Hypertension (high blood pressure) is the most important contributing risk factor for stroke and cerebrovascular diseases as it can change the structure of blood vessels and result in atherosclerosis . [ 5 ]
An anticoagulant, commonly known as a blood thinner, is a chemical substance that prevents or reduces the coagulation of blood, prolonging the clotting time. [1] Some occur naturally in blood-eating animals, such as leeches and mosquitoes , which help keep the bite area unclotted long enough for the animal to obtain blood.
[15] [16] [17] Patients are usually designated as having a low or high risk of bleeding or developing blood clots based on their age, medical history, blood counts and their lifestyles. Low risk individuals are usually treated with aspirin , whereas those at high risk are treated with hydroxycarbamide , interferon-α or anagrelide .