Stroke is a leading cause of death in the United States. The older you are, the greater your risk for stroke, although a stroke can happen at any age.

There are two kinds of stroke: Those that occur when blood flow to the brain is blocked and those that occur when there is sudden bleeding in the brain. Both types of stroke are medical emergencies. A stroke deprives the affected parts of your brain of oxygen. Without oxygen, brain cells die.

Ischemic Stroke

About 87% of strokes are ischemic, caused by the blockage of a blood vessel. Two types of ischemic stroke are thrombotic and embolic.

A thrombotic stroke occurs when a blood clot develops in the blood vessels inside the brain. Symptoms of a thrombotic stroke can appear suddenly, but they can also develop gradually over a period of hours or even days.

An embolic stroke is caused by a blood clot that forms elsewhere in the body and travels to the brain. Embolic strokes happen quickly and without any warning signs. They are often caused by heart disease. In fact, nearly 1 in 6 embolic strokes is caused by atrial fibrillation, a type of abnormal heart rhythm affecting the upper chambers of the heart.

Hemorrhagic Stroke

Hemorrhagic strokes happen when a blood vessel that supplies the brain ruptures and bleeds, depriving brain cells of oxygen and nutrients. These account for about 13% of strokes.

High blood pressure is most often the cause of a hemorrhagic stroke that involves bleeding within the brain. There are usually no warning signs with this kind of stroke. Bleeding can be severe enough to cause coma or even death.

Hemorrhagic strokes can also involve bleeding in the space between the brain and the membranes that cover the brain. This type of stroke can result from an aneurysm, which is when a blood vessel balloons out or widens due to a weakened artery wall or from trauma.

What Is a “Mini-Stroke”?

People often use the term “mini-stroke” for a transient ischemic attack (TIA). A TIA is a stroke that lasts only a few minutes. It begins with the same symptoms as an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke.

“Though the term ‘mini’ might tempt people to think that a TIA is a minor issue, it is actually a medical emergency,” said Aultman Stroke Coordinator Ashley McConnell BSN, RN. “Always call 911 immediately when you or a loved one are experiencing stroke symptoms. Do not wait. Anyone who has experienced a TIA must be evaluated promptly to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.”

A TIA is a warning sign of a future stroke. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as many as 10-15% of people will have a major stroke within three months of a TIA. It is important to follow your provider’s treatment plan and recommendations for reducing your risk of a future stroke.

For details on how to reduce your risk for stroke, visit Controlling Stroke Risk Factors.

For more information on stroke, visit stroke.org/en. If you are looking for a primary care provider, visit AultmanDocs.com to find a provider in your community.

Sources:
Aultman Health System
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
The Staywell Company, LLC