Is a significant decrease in blood flow velocity in the bilateral vertebral and basilar arteries serious?
May 12, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Jun
Introduction
Bilateral vertebral-basilar artery flow velocity slowing may be serious or not. Its severity depends on the degree of flow reduction. If the slowing is mild, it generally causes slight cerebral hypoperfusion, leading to symptoms such as headache, head fullness, nausea, and dizziness. However, if the slowing is severe, it may result in serious complications such as blindness, paralysis, or cerebral infarction.
Slowed blood flow velocity in the bilateral vertebrobasilar arteries may be either mild or severe, depending on the extent of the reduction in flow. If the decrease is slight, it is generally not serious; however, if the decrease is significant, it is usually considered serious. Specific details are as follows:
1. Not severe
The blood flow velocity in the bilateral vertebrobasilar arteries normally needs to remain at a stable level to ensure proper bodily function. When atherosclerosis occurs in the vertebral arteries, it can lead to vessel narrowing and consequently reduced blood flow velocity in the vertebrobasilar arteries. If the reduction in blood flow velocity is mild, it typically causes only slight cerebral hypoperfusion, leading to symptoms such as mild headache, head fullness, nausea, and dizziness, which are generally not serious.
2. Severe
If the reduction in blood flow velocity in the bilateral vertebrobasilar arteries is substantial, it may result in severe cerebral ischemia, potentially causing serious symptoms such as blindness, paralysis, or cerebral infarction, which are generally considered severe.
It is recommended that patients seek timely medical attention at a hospital and, under a doctor's guidance, take medications such as enteric-coated aspirin tablets or Xuesaitong capsules to help dilate blood vessels.
