Final answer:
A cerebrovascular accident, or stroke, can be caused by a blockage in the basilar artery, leading to an ischemic stroke. This type of stroke is often treated with clot-busting drugs and accounts for the majority of stroke cases.
Step-by-step explanation:
A cerebrovascular accident (CVA), or stroke, can occur due to a blockage in the basilar artery. This artery is critical for supplying blood to the brain and is part of the circle of Willis.
Strokes can be classified into two main types: ischemic and hemorrhagic. An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot or plaque obstructs an artery providing blood to the brain, leading to the death of brain cells due to the lack of oxygen. Ischemic strokes account for approximately 90 percent of all stroke cases and are often treated with clot-busting drugs within a few hours of the event to prevent permanent damage.
Hemorrhagic strokes, on the other hand, involve bleeding from a broken blood vessel within the brain. Treatment and recovery depend on the severity and location of the stroke, which can result in the loss of specific functions such as movement or the ability to recognize faces.