What is a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) commonly caused by?

A cerebrovascular accident (CVA), commonly known as a stroke, is primarily caused by a disruption of blood flow to the brain, which can occur due to a blood clot in the cerebral arteries. This condition leads to the deprivation of oxygen and nutrients to brain tissue, causing injury that can result in various neurological deficits. The blood clot can form in the arteries supplying the brain or can travel from other parts of the body, blocking a smaller cerebral vessel. This ischemic type of stroke is the most common cause of CVA.

Other factors such as excessive physical activity, low blood pressure, and dehydration may contribute to situations that could increase the risk of a stroke but do not directly cause the same immediate impact on cerebral blood flow that a blood clot does. While these factors can play a role in overall cardiovascular health or precipitating one’s risk for a stroke, the direct mechanism responsible for a CVA is the obstruction caused by a blood clot in the arteries that feed the brain.