What causes cerebral arteriosclerosis?

The occurrence of cerebral arteriosclerosis will have many adverse effects on our physical health and life, and the occurrence of this disease is related to many factors, such as age and gender. Middle-aged men over 40 years old, in particular, are more susceptible to this disease.

(1) Age and gender: This disease mostly occurs in middle-aged people over 40 years old. The incidence rate in Western countries is about 10 years earlier than in China. As age increases, the incidence and mortality rates also increase accordingly. Generally speaking, this disease is more common in males, with a male-to-female ratio of 2:1. Females are more likely to become ill after menopause, when estrogen levels decrease and blood high-density lipoprotein (HDL) also decreases. After the age of 70, the disease is even more common than in males.

(2) Disease: Hypertension is closely related to this disease. If blood pressure continues to rise, the incidence of atherosclerosis will increase significantly. Hypertension causes vascular dilation, stimulates smooth muscle cell proliferation, damages the intima and endothelial cell layers, and allows blood lipids to accumulate on the blood vessel walls. Hyperlipidemia is also one of the risk factors of the disease. If total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) increase, and high-density lipoprotein, especially its subcomponent II (HDLⅡ) decrease, the disease is prone to occur. Research on apolipoproteins in recent years has shown that a decrease in apolipoprotein A and an increase in apolipoprotein B are also related to this disease. The incidence of this disease in diabetic patients is also significantly increased because diabetes is often accompanied by hyperlipidemia, hypertension and increased platelet activation, all of which accelerate atherosclerosis and the formation of blood clots. In addition, obesity and genetic factors are often factors in the formation of atherosclerosis.

(3) Unhealthy diet and habits: People who often eat high-calorie foods, high levels of animal fat, cholesterol, sugar and salt are more likely to develop this disease. Western diet is an important factor in causing disease. Compared with non-smokers, smokers have a significantly higher incidence of arteriosclerosis, which is directly proportional to the number of cigarettes smoked per day. In addition, reduced intake of certain trace elements, such as chromium, manganese, zinc, vanadium, and selenium, and increased intake of lead, cadmium, and cobalt, can also make people susceptible to this disease.

(4) Behavior: People with type A personality are impatient, have a strong sense of ambition and competitiveness, are focused on work, lack rest, and force themselves to strive for achievement. These factors are one of the main causes of cerebral arteriosclerosis. Workers who do less physical labor, have intense mental activities, and often have a sense of urgency are more likely to get sick.