Stroke

Summary

The oxygen and nutrients your brain needs to function are carried in blood through blood vessels from the heart. If problems in the blood vessels reduce or cut off this blood flow, the brain tissue quickly dies. This is known as a stroke. Symptoms differ depending on which area of the brain is affected. There are 3 different mechanisms for strokes. In a thrombotic stroke, a blood clot forms at a narrowed or damaged area in an artery to the brain. In an embolic stroke, a blood clot in another part of the body breaks loose, travels through the body, and becomes stuck in an artery to the brain. In a hemorrhagic stroke, an artery ruptures, and blood leaks out into the brain, which prevents blood from getting to the brain tissue in the surrounding area. Hemorrhagic strokes usually occur in those with high blood pressure.