An ischemic stroke is caused by the blockage of an artery en route to the brain. This blockage can be caused by a thrombosis or an embolism. Find out the difference.
Definition of an Ischemic Stroke
An ischemic stroke is a neurological illness that involves the blockage, rather than the hemorrhaging,of an artery that leads to the brain. The brain relies on the oxygen and nutrients brought from the heart and lungs. Deprivation can cause brain dysfunction and/or brain cell death.
Types of Ischemic Stroke
A blockage can be caused by several problems. Atherosclerosis, or narrowing of the arteries due to cholesterol buildup, is the most common cause of ischemic stroke. Blood clots can form due to poor circulation, which is from the cholesterol buildup along the artery's wall. The clot or clots then block blood flow to the brain. This is called a thrombotic ischemic stroke. This type of stroke accounts for 50% of all strokes, and the most affected arteries are the common carotid arteries, located on both sides of the neck.
Another type of stroke, termed the embolic ischemic stroke, is caused by an embolism, or traveling clot, usually originating in the heart. The embolism travels until it becomes lodged in an artery, causing a blockage. Smaller clots can also break off from a thrombotic clot and travel closer to the brain or within the brain itself. Embolic clots originating from the heart can be caused by heart defects such as atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat), valve abnormalities, or a heart attack. For more information about strokes, visit www.strokecenter.org.
***For information about strokes, read Symptoms of a Stroke, Stroke: TIA ,and Intracerebral Hemorrhage.
***For related neurological information, visit the Neurological ARTICLE INDEX and Blog.
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