Diabetes Mellitus LDL cholesterol can build up inside your blood vessels

Low levels of HDL cholesterol

narrowing and hardening of blood vessels

Obstruction of a blood vessel

Disruption of the cerebral blood flow

Ischemic cascade(begins when cerebral blood flow decreases to less than 25mL per 100g per minute

Hypoxia Neurons are no longer able to maintain aerobic respiration Decreased Cerebral Perfusion Mitochondria switch to anaerobic respiration Generates large amounts of lactic acid causing a change in pH level. Switch to the less efficient anaerobic respiration Renders the neuron incapable of producing sufficient quantities of ATP to fuel the depolarization process Metabolic Acidosis Depresses Myocardial Function Altered cerebral Metabolism

The membrane pumps that maintain electrolyte balances begin to fail and the cells cease to function Shock

aspiration pneumonia dysphagia

Decrease Perfusion of the coronary arteries Decrease Cardiac Output Circulatory and Respiratory failure Death

Inc. Capillary permeability and movement of fluids out of the vascular space Further contributes to hypotension

Reduced perfusion damages cell membranes and lysozome enzymes are released and energy stored are depleted

deep vein thrombosis pulmonary embolism brain stem herniation

Possible cell death