The risk factors of ischemic cerebrovascular diseases

1. Big picture

Ischemic cerebrovascular diseases include transient ischemic attack (TIA) and ischemic stroke, caused by insufficient blood flow to part of the brain, retina, or spinal cord. For the exam, the key idea is simple: stroke prevention is risk-factor prevention.

Most ischemic strokes develop because risk factors damage vessels, promote atherosclerosis, increase thrombosis, or create emboli from the heart or large arteries. Modern prevention guidelines still focus on the same major modifiable risks: **hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, atrial fibrillation, carotid/vascular disease, and excessive alcohol or dr