Understanding the Causes and Types of Stroke
This article explains the primary causes and types of strokes, highlighting transient ischemic attacks, ischemic strokes, and hemorrhagic strokes. It emphasizes risk factors like blood clots and vessel ruptures, and underscores the importance of prompt medical intervention to prevent severe brain damage.
A stroke is a critical health emergency that occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted. Without oxygen and nutrients, brain cells start to die rapidly, resulting in severe neurological damage. Recognizing the symptoms early can be life-saving. There are different types of strokes caused by various mechanisms. The three most common are discussed below:
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Often called a mini-stroke, TIA is caused by temporary blood flow blockage in the brain. Symptoms usually resolve within a short time.
TIAs happen when a small clot briefly blocks blood flow, giving warning signs of a potential major stroke.
Ischemic Stroke: This type is caused by a blood clot blocking a blood vessel in the brain, often due to fatty deposits on arterial walls (atherosclerosis). It lasts longer than a TIA and can be life-threatening. Blood clots may originate from other body parts via embolism, or form directly in brain vessels (thrombosis). Conditions like atrial fibrillation increase risk. While TIAs may resolve spontaneously, ischemic strokes require immediate medical attention.
Ischemic strokes are similar to heart attacks, where blood flow is obstructed, leading to brain damage.
Hemorrhagic Stroke: This occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, spilling blood into surrounding tissues. Causes include aneurysms, where weakened vessels balloon and burst, or arteriovenous malformations, abnormally formed blood vessels prone to bleeding.
Causes
Strokes mainly result from blockages in critical brain arteries caused by clots or vessel rupture. The brain's blood supply comes mainly from carotid arteries in the neck and vertebral arteries near the spine. Any disruption in this flow can cause irreversible brain cell death, leading to stroke symptoms.
