Cerebrovascular diseases such as intracranial atherosclerosis, intracranial aneurysm and ischemic stroke have become the important causes of death and disability. The structural and functional changes of cerebrovascular, which are caused by various pathogenic factors, are the common pathophysiological basis of cerebrovascular diseases. At present, the etiology of cerebrovascular diseases has not been clarified. Growing evidence suggests that matrix metalloproteinases play an important role in the occurrence and development of cerebrovascular diseases. Blocking or inhibiting the expression of matrix metalloproteinases provides a new theoretical basis for non-invasive treatment of cerebrovascular diseases. This review discusses the relationship between matrix metalloproteinases and cerebrovascular diseases.