Calcification - a risk factor for stroke

Studies have shown that the formation of calcified plaques in the arteries outside the brain can lead to an increased risk of stroke..

Stroke is an impaired blood flow to the brain. The cells of the damaged area cease to receive oxygen and vital substances in the necessary quantity, which results in their death. Currently, stroke is the second cause of death after myocardial infarction. The stroke can be caused by an impaired blood flow or by ruptured cerebral artery, while occlusion, in turn, occurs due to embolism and thrombosis. The rupture of the cerebral artery is closely related to hypertension, aneurysm, traumatic brain injuries.

During the research, scientists have found that the formation of calcified plaques is also one of the risk factors for a stroke. Magnetic resonance imaging shows that arterial calcification in large vessels is associated with vascular diseases of the brain. These changes also increase the risk of developing dementia. The calcified formations in atherosclerotic plaques and other changes in the brain are also caused by a variety of causes: high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes.

885 elderly people (50,8% women) with the average age of 66,7 years participated in the study. X-ray tomography was used to measure the degree of calcification in the coronary arteries, extracranial and intracranial carotid arteries. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain made it possible to assess the presence and effect of cerebral infarctions, micro hemorrhages, condition of the white matter in the brain, which are important markers of cerebrovascular disease.

The study showed that increased calcification is more associated with an increase in the amount of gray matter and cerebral infarcts than with the presence of cerebral micro hemorrhages. In addition, there was noted the link between an increase in the amount of gray matter and an increase in intracranial calcification of the carotid artery; between infarcts and extracranial calcification of the carotid artery. Scientists also suggested that the development of calcification in the extracranial and intracranial carotid arteries is caused more by diseases of small intracranial vessels, while cerebral infarction can be caused by abnormalities in large vessels.

Summing up, the scientists noted that computed tomography can help assess the risk of developing coronary artery disease, while the signs of calcification of the coronary arteries in the images will indicate subclinical diseases of the brain.

Here you can also read other articles on this topic:

• Effects of stroke and rehabilitation
• Stents for the treatment of stroke
• Rehabilitation of finger movements after a stroke

To receive professional advice on rehabilitation after a stroke in Germany
Please call us: +49 228 972 723 72
or write an Email here