Which of the following is a cause of a cerebrovascular accident (CVA)?

• A. Atherosclerosis
• B. Hypertension
• C. Embolism
• D. Brain tumor

Answer: (A)

Blockage of cerebral blood vessels that reduces blood flow to brain tissue is how a cerebrovascular accident occurs. Atherosclerosis, with plaque buildup in carotid and other cerebral arteries, narrows the lumen and can trigger thrombosis, so blood flow is disrupted and brain cells become ischemic. This direct mechanism—plaque-related occlusion leading to infarction—is a common and central cause of strokes, making atherosclerosis the best answer. Hypertension raises the risk by damaging vessels and promoting rupture or stenosis, but it’s a predisposing factor rather than the immediate occluding process in this context. Embolism can cause a stroke when a clot travels to the brain, but the scenario highlighted by atherosclerosis emphasizes the local plaque-related blockage. A brain tumor causes neurologic symptoms through mass effect rather than a primary vascular occlusion leading to a CVA.