Left and right sided Basiler Stroke Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Left and right sided Basiler Stroke - Essay Example The two vertebral arteries join forming one basilar artery, which supplies oxygen to the brain’s ‘vertebrobasilar territory’. If a stroke occurs in this region, it is known as a posterior stroke (Healthtree.com, 2010). It is also classified as ischemic stroke (stroke that occurs as a result as an obstruction of an artery to the brain). Different kinds of diseases cause it. Firstly, blood clots in the heart, which can result from heart valves’ abnormalities, heart attack or irregular heartbeat.  The second cause is thinning of the arteries at the head or neck, which is often caused by atherosclerosis. If the arteries turn out to be too narrow, blood cells may accumulate, forming blood clots, which can obstruct the artery where they are formed or can dislodge and be trapped in arteries nearer the brain.  Other probable causes include traumatic injury to the blood vessels of the neck, blood-clotting disorders or use of street drugs (Strokecenter.org, 2010) . Occasionally, strokes that occur in the basilar territory affect both hemispheres of the brain such that symptoms take place on both sides of the body.