Definition of Cerebral Artery Infarction

According to MedLine Plus, cerebral infarction is another way of referring to a stroke. More specifically, a cerebral artery infarction is a type of stroke that occurs when one of the arteries that supplies blood and oxygen to the brain is blocked by a blood clot, causing damage or death to brain cells.

Definition

Strokes caused by blood clots that block blood vessels are known as ischemic strokes. According to StrokeCenter.org, approximately 88 percent of all stokes are ischemic strokes.

Types

A thrombotic stroke, also referred to as cerebral thrombosis, is caused by blood clots that originate in the brain. An embolic stroke is a stroke caused by a blood clot that travels to the brain from elsewhere in the body.

Risk

People with a family history of cerebral artery infarctions, diabetes and/or some type of heart disease might be at increased risk of stroke. Though ischemic strokes can occur in people of all ages, they are more common among people over the age of 60, according to StrokeCenter.org.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a cerebral artery infarction may, but do not necessarily, include severe headache, impaired speech and vision, numbness along one side of the body, loss of coordination and balance and disorientation.

Warning

Cerebral artery infarctions can cause permanent disability and death. Another, less common, type of stroke is a hemorrhagic stroke, which is caused by a burst and bleeding blood vessel in the brain.

References

• MedLine Plus: Stroke
• Internet Stroke Center: Ischemic Stroke