The brain – cerebrovascular disease
Narrowed arteries in the brain can become blocked by clots (cerebral thrombosis). Clots can form in the main carotid arteries in the neck that supply blood to brain or in smaller cerebral arteries.
Alternatively, smaller diseased arteries may rupture and bleed into the brain (cerebral haemorrhage).
Both of these events damage the brain and are collectively referred to as strokes (cerebrovascular accidents or CVAs).
A stroke normally produces sudden symptoms. Depending on the artery affected, these can include numbness or paralysis on one side, speech difficulties, difficulty swallowing and problems with vision, balance and coordination.