What are the most common etiologies of a brain attack?

What are the most common etiologies of a brain attack?

• A. Atherosclerosis of the cerebral arteries or incoming arteries, hypertension, heart problems, and brain aneurysms
• B. Viral infection alone
• C. Malnutrition
• D. Traumatic brain injury is the only cause

Answer: (A)

Strokes (brain attacks) happen mainly because of disorders that affect blood vessels and the heart, disrupting blood flow to the brain. The most common etiologies are atherosclerosis of the arteries supplying the brain, which narrows or blocks vessels and can lead to thrombosis or embolic events; hypertension, which weakens and damages vessel walls and increases the risk of both ischemic small-vessel disease and hemorrhagic bleeding; and heart problems—particularly atrial fibrillation and other cardiac sources—that throw clots into cerebral arteries causing ischemic strokes. Additionally, rupture of a brain aneurysm can cause a hemorrhagic stroke. These vascular and cardiac mechanisms account for the majority of strokes. Viral infections, malnutrition, or traumatic brain injury are not the primary, widespread causes of stroke.

Strokes (brain attacks) happen mainly because of disorders that affect blood vessels and the heart, disrupting blood flow to the brain. The most common etiologies are atherosclerosis of the arteries supplying the brain, which narrows or blocks vessels and can lead to thrombosis or embolic events; hypertension, which weakens and damages vessel walls and increases the risk of both ischemic small-vessel disease and hemorrhagic bleeding; and heart problems—particularly atrial fibrillation and other cardiac sources—that throw clots into cerebral arteries causing ischemic strokes. Additionally, rupture of a brain aneurysm can cause a hemorrhagic stroke. These vascular and cardiac mechanisms account for the majority of strokes. Viral infections, malnutrition, or traumatic brain injury are not the primary, widespread causes of stroke.