What is a stroke?
A stroke, formally known as a cerebrovascular accident, is when something blocks blood flow to part of the brain. It happens when a blood vessel either bursts or is blocked by a clot. Blood vessels carry oxygen to the brain tissues, so without oxygen, brain cells start to die, affecting body functions. Quickly identifying the warning signs and getting a stroke victim medical assistance can help reduce the damage that happens to the brain.
Here are the most common types of cerebrovascular accidents:
- Ischemic stroke: 87% of all cerebrovascular accidents are ischemic strokes, which happen when a blood clot blocks an artery, stopping the blood supply to the brain. These strokes are frequently caused by fatty deposits and cholesterol in the blood vessels. They can be of two types: thrombotic and embolic. Thrombotic strokes occur when an artery to the brain is obstructed and affects the amount of blood getting to the brain. Embolic strokes are when a blood clot forms in the body (usually in the heart) and makes its way through the bloodstream to the brain.
- Hemorrhagic stroke: These are due to sudden and violent bleeding into the brain, called a hemorrhage. The bleeding often happens after a blood vessel bursts, and some of the most common causes are aneurysms (weak spots on blood vessel walls) and high blood pressure.
- Transient ischemic attack (TIA): Doctors often call this a “mini-stroke.” It’s worth mentioning that it differs from the other two types of cerebrovascular accidents because blood flow to the brain is interrupted for only a short time, typically no more than five minutes. However, it’s important to know that a TIA is a risk factor for developing a future stroke, so it’s a medical emergency, just like a major cerebrovascular accident.
Here are the 10 early signs of a stroke in the elderly!
