HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

What Causes Blocked Arteries In The Brain?

My dad was just admitted to the E.R. He has had an intense throbbing pain in his neck and head. He went to a chiropractor about it 2 days ago without any luck. Today he went to get X-rays and they immediately rushed him into the E.R thinking that he has blocked arteries in his brain? What could be some other possibilities?
Mon, 20 Jul 2015
Report Abuse
Neurologist,  's  Response
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.

If the imaging results like CT or MRI show that there is a blocked blood vessel then the diagnosis has been made, there is no reason to look for other possibilities. Now you should concentrate on what originated this blocked vessel. Looking at your description of pain in the neck and head, one possibility would be a cervical artery dissection, a rupture in the wall of a blood vessel, with accumulation of blood inside the wall which can lead to narrowing of the vessel lumen as well as formation of thrombi which can cause a stroke. Of course this possibility should be confirmed with imaging of neck vessels apart from the head.

Other possibilities may be heart issues leading to formation of thrombi which enter the circulation, block a vessel and cause a stroke, or atherosclerosis of neck vessels which again can form thrombi which can lead to stroke.

I hope to have been of help.
I find this answer helpful

1 Doctor agrees with this answer

Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Loading Online Doctors....
What Causes Blocked Arteries In The Brain?

I read your question carefully and I understand your concern. If the imaging results like CT or MRI show that there is a blocked blood vessel then the diagnosis has been made, there is no reason to look for other possibilities. Now you should concentrate on what originated this blocked vessel. Looking at your description of pain in the neck and head, one possibility would be a cervical artery dissection, a rupture in the wall of a blood vessel, with accumulation of blood inside the wall which can lead to narrowing of the vessel lumen as well as formation of thrombi which can cause a stroke. Of course this possibility should be confirmed with imaging of neck vessels apart from the head. Other possibilities may be heart issues leading to formation of thrombi which enter the circulation, block a vessel and cause a stroke, or atherosclerosis of neck vessels which again can form thrombi which can lead to stroke. I hope to have been of help.