Does cerebrovascular disease run in the family?

Often does: Many risk factors for vascular disease (stroke, heart attack, peripheralvascualr disease) like hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol tend to run in families, and there are some fairly rare genetic syndromes (eg. Cadasil) that cause strokes in particular.

Yes: Cerebrovascular disease may involve thickening of arteries, emboli, or hemorrhage. Causes can include hypertension, kidney disease, diabetes, atherosclerosis, drug use, smoking, and genetic syndromes. All of these conditions can run in families. If there is such disease in your family, discuss with your doctor and consider genetic testing. Careful health habits are important.