Know which blood vessels are affected by stroke & bull; hello healthy

Stroke is a decrease in blood supply to a part of the brain. Oxygen and nutrients move in the blood, so the reduced blood supply blocks oxygen and nutrients the brain needs. This causes the loss of function of the part of the brain supplied by certain blood vessels. Stroke appears as a group of symptoms that result from loss of function of a part of the brain.

Stroke symptoms can indicate which part of the brain is affected

The part of the brain affected by a stroke responds to certain blood vessels. When a blood vessel becomes blocked or damaged due to leakage or rupture, it causes slow blood supply or a cessation of blood supply. The blood vessels that supply the brain respond to this part of the brain by following a clear pattern. Some parts of the brain can receive blood from more than one blood vessel, but usually one blood vessel supplies most of the blood to a particular part of the brain.

What types of blood vessels can a stroke affect?

The blood vessels in our brain, which may be affected by a stroke, include:

Carotid artery

The carotid arteries are located at the front of the neck and provide most of the blood supply to the brain, particularly the front of the brain. The carotid arteries are in the neck, so they are more accessible than the blood vessels in the brain itself. This allows the doctor to evaluate the health of the carotid arteries using equipment such as an ultrasound to see if the carotid arteries are narrowed or have large amounts of cholesterol buildup. The carotid arteries are also much more accessible for surgical repair than are the blood vessels that are located deep in the brain.

Vertebral arteries

The vertebral arteries are located at the back of the neck and supply blood to the back of the brain. The vertebral arteries provide blood to a relatively small part of the brain, the brain stem, but it is that part of the brain, which controls life support functions such as breathing and regulates the heart.

Basilar artery

The basilar artery is an amalgamation of the vertebral arteries and is much deeper in the brain. It provides blood to the brain, which controls eye movement and life defense functions.

Anterior cerebral artery

The left and right anterior cerebral arteries are branches of the left and right carotid arteries, respectively, and they provide blood to the frontal parts of the brain, which control behavior and thoughts.

Middle cerebral artery

The middle cerebral artery is a branch of the left and right carotid arteries. The cerebral arteries provide blood supply to the part of the brain that controls movement. There is one cerebral artery on the left side of the brain and one on the right side of the brain.

Posterior cerebral artery

The posterior cerebral artery is a branch of the basilar artery. The right posterior cerebral artery supplies blood to the far back of the right brain and the left posterior cerebral artery supplies blood to the back of the left brain.

Posterior communicating artery

Posterior communicating artery allows blood to flow between the right and left posterior cerebral arteries. This provides a protective effect. When one of the posterior cerebral arteries becomes slightly narrower, posterior communicating artery can compensate for mild narrowing by providing blood from the other side, such as a tunnel or bridge.

Anterior communicating artery

Anterior communicating artery connects between the right and left anterior cerebral arteries. These veins, like posterior communicating artery, provides a passage between the right and left anterior cerebral arteries, which offers a protective effect for mild narrowing on one side by allowing sharing of the blood supply from the other side.

Ophthalmic artery

The ophthalmic arteries supply blood to the eye and therefore provide essential nutrients for vision and eye movement.

Retinal artery

The retinal arteries are tiny blood vessels that provide blood to a small but very important part of the eye called the retina.

What is the need to know which blood vessels are affected?

When parts of the brain lack adequate blood supply, a stroke can occur. This combination of symptoms will help the doctor determine the location of the stroke and also find out which blood vessels are affected. This can help with long and short term treatment and recovery plans.