Causes of cerebral atherosclerosis

Cerebral atherosclerosis is very common clinically. This disease is very common among middle-aged and elderly people. Many reasons may cause cerebral atherosclerosis, which is also a risk factor for cerebral atherosclerosis. Genetic factors are also an important factor.

(1) Abnormal lipid metabolism Abnormal lipid metabolism is a recognized risk factor for atherosclerosis, mainly referring to the increase of plasma total cholesterol and triglycerides, among which cholesterol plays a key role. Oxidative modification of LDL is the key initiating factor in the formation of atherosclerosis.

(2) Hypertension. Hypertension mainly causes and accelerates atherosclerosis by damaging the vascular endothelium. Patients with hypertension are prone to atherosclerosis, which occurs early and is severe, and generally occurs at bifurcations and bends in blood vessels.

(3) Diabetes mellitus (including impaired glucose tolerance) Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. High insulin levels stimulate the growth of endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells, while hyperglycemia and insulin resistance can damage endothelial cells. The serum of diabetic patients is rich in vascular endothelial cell adhesion molecules, which participate in and promote the formation of atherosclerosis.

(4) Smoking. Smoking (or smoke exposure) can increase the expression of multiple adhesion factors in the blood and cause platelet dysfunction, thereby destroying vascular endothelial cells, inducing smooth muscle cell proliferation, causing vasomotor dysfunction, and promoting the formation of atherosclerosis.

(5) Genetic factors: Atherosclerosis tends to run in families, and multiple genes may promote the formation of atherosclerosis. The presence of one or more people in the family suffering from cerebrovascular disease indicates that the patient has a higher risk of cerebral atherosclerosis.