Elderly people whose arteries that feed blood to the brain are blocked face a higher risk not only of stroke, but an inability to think clearly, a new study says.These large vessels on either side of the neck, called carotid arteries, can become blocked over time as plaque builds up on the artery walls, narrowing the vessels and restricting blood flow. As blood flow in the vessel is slowed, clots can occur. These clots, when pushed though the artery, can block smaller arteries in the brain, causing a stroke.
