What are the different types of stroke?
An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel that supplies the brain becomes blocked or “clogged” and impairs blood flow to part of the brain. The brain cells and tissues begin to die within minutes from lack of oxygen and nutrients. The area of tissue death is called an infarct. About 88 percent of strokes fall into this category. Ischemic strokes are further divided into two groups, including the following: • thrombotic strokes – caused by a blood clot that develops in the blood vessels inside the brain. • embolic strokes – caused by a blood clot or plaque debris that develops elsewhere in the body and then travels to one of the blood vessels in the brain via the bloodstream.
