The Most Commonly Affected Arteries in Stroke
Strokes occur when the blood supply to part of the brain is blocked or interrupted, causing brain cells to die due to a lack of oxygen. Depending on the severity of the stroke, there can be physical, cognitive, and psychological disabilities.
The arteries that are most commonly affected by stroke are the middle cerebral artery (MCA), anterior cerebral artery (ACA), and the posterior cerebral artery (PCA).
Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA)
The middle cerebral artery (MCA) is the largest of the three main arteries and supplies blood to the lateral surface of the brain. A stroke in this artery is the most common type of stroke, accounting for about two-thirds of all strokes. It can cause speech, language, and motor problems on the same side of the body as the stroke.
Anterior Cerebral Artery (ACA)
The anterior cerebral artery (ACA) supplies blood to the medial surface of the brain. A stroke in this artery can cause problems with movement, sensation, and coordination on the same side of the body as the stroke.
Posterior Cerebral Artery (PCA)
The posterior cerebral artery (PCA) supplies blood to the back of the brain. A stroke in this artery can cause vision problems, such as blindness, and cognitive problems, such as memory loss. It can also cause problems with movement, sensation, and coordination on the same side of the body as the stroke.