A cerebrovascular disease is any of a number of conditions that affect the flow of blood through blood vessels into the brain. Almost all of these conditions are caused by underlying high blood pressure which damages the inner lining of the blood vessels, leading to exposure of the underlying collagen which is usually imperfectly repaired and is prone to clots. Increasing damage can lead to a transient ischemic attack, stroke, or hemorrhage.
In addition, smoking, obesity, and diabetes can also contribute to the damage of the blood vessels.