What Causes A Stroke?

Blocked, clogged, weakened or narrowing of arteries can occur for many reasons. Often times fat, cholesterol and other materials can clog or cause narrowing of an artery because over time these things form a sticky residue that clings to the walls of the artery known as plague. Many disease processes may contribute to the development of plague.

  • Hypertension or high blood pressure
  • Heart disease
  • Hypercholesterolemia or high cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • Bleeding disorders
  • Advancing age

 

Some medications may contribute to this as well such as birth control pills and other medications used to treat some of the above disease processes.

Some lifestyle choices are also contributors to the risk of a stroke.

  • Excessive alcohol use
  • Cocaine use
  • Smoking
  • Poor diet – high in fat, high in cholesterol and low in nutritional value