<s>[INST] What is Cerebrovascular Disease? [/INST] Cerebrovascular disease refers to conditions that adversely affect blood flow to the brain. This may involve either a blockage of blood flow to the brain or the bursting of a vessel that supplies blood to the brain.

Carotid artery disease, also called carotid artery stenosis or carotid artery occlusive disease, is characterized by the narrowing of the carotid arteries, the main blood vessels for carrying oxygenated blood to the brain. This is most commonly related to atherosclerosis (a build-up of plaque) in the artery. If the narrowing becomes severe enough to block blood flow to the brain, or if a piece of plaque breaks off and obstructs blood flow, a stroke may occur.

An aneurysm is a bulging, weakened area in the wall of a blood vessel, resulting in an abnormal widening or ballooning greater than 50 percent of the vessel's normal diameter. Left untreated, a cerebral aneurysm can rupture and cause potentially life-threatening complications, including a stroke. Our Acute Aortic Rapid Response Team responds immediately to patients on site and is part of our Aortic Disease Center which monitors and manages both patients at risk and post-surgical cases. Source: BRIGHAM AND WOMENS. Link: https://www.brighamandwomens.org/heart-and-vascular-center/diseases-and-conditions/heart-valve-disease. Field: Cardiovascular. Disease: Cerebrovascular Disease </s>