- A stroke occurs when a bleed or blockage stops blood flow to part of the brain.
- Lacunar strokes, where a clot blocks a small artery deep in the brain, make up 25% of ischemic strokes, the most common type of stroke.
- They tend to occur in older people, are associated with high blood pressure and diabetes, and often result in cognitive impairment and dementia.
- A study has found that two cheap, common drugs used to treat heart and circulatory disorders may help improve cognitive function after a lacunar stroke.
According to the
Of these cases, 87% are ischemic strokes, caused by a clot blocking an artery in the brain. And around 25% of ischemic strokes are lacunar strokes, which affect small arteries deep in the brain.
When a stroke occurs, some or all of the brain is deprived of oxygen and nutrients, so cells are damaged or die. A stroke can cause
Lacunar strokes, or lacunar infarcts, are more likely to occur in older people. Many other factors also increase the risk of experiencing a lacunar stroke, including:
- hypertension, or high blood pressure, which can damage the lining of arteries
- atherosclerosis: the buildup of cholesterol and other fatty materials within artery walls
diabetes mellitus can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of high blood pressure- smoking: Smoking tobacco damages the arteries and may lead to plaques forming in the arteries and blocking blood flow
- hyperlipidemia: High levels of fats in the blood can damage and narrow the blood vessels
- genetic factors: Certain genes and genetic conditions can significantly increase a person’s risk of stroke.
Lacunar strokes, which often result from
A new trial has found that two commonly prescribed, cheap drugs reduce the risk of thinking…
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