A stroke is the result of a particular area of the brain being deprived of oxygenated blood. The lack of oxygenated blood causes the brain cells to die, which causes symptoms that affect the portion of the body that is controlled by that portion of the brain. While strokes are more common among the elderly, there are several causes for strokes in the young.
Arterial Tear
When the carotid artery tears, the resulting blood leakage can lead to clots. As the clots travel to the brain, they can cause blockage in the arteries of the brain. This cuts off the blood supply to various areas of the brain, creating the symptoms of a stroke. Tearing of the carotid artery is a common cause of stroke in the young.
Heart Embolism
In young people, an embolism in the heart can result in clots travelling through the bloodstream, and throughout the body. When the clot reaches the brain, it lodges in the arteries, which disrupts blood flow within the brain. A lack of blood flow through the brain will result in a stroke.
Atherosclerosis
Hardening arteries are becoming more common in young people and greatly increase the risk of stroke. Plaque buildup within the arteries is formed from a combination of cholesterol and calcium. The plaque deposits cause the pathway through the arteries to narrow, which prevents adequate blood flow to the brain. The hardening arteries eventually limit blood flow to the point where stroke occurs.
Blood Disorders
Blood disorders such as thrombophilia can be inherited and increase the stroke risk for young people. Thrombophilia is a medical condition that causes an individual to have overly thick blood that has a strong tendency to clot. Increased clotting can lead to blood clots traveling to the brain, causing a stroke.
Pregnancy
During pregnancy, women have an increased risk of developing deep vein thrombosis, or blood clots. These blood clots can travel through the bloodstream and will cause damage wherever they lodge. In the event that the blood clot blocks an artery in the brain, it will prevent the blood from continuing to supply oxygen to the brain and cause a stroke.
Tags: blood flow, blood clots, young people, brain will, carotid artery