TYPES OF STROKES
Although all strokes interrupt blood flow to a part of the brain, there are different types of strokes that affect the brain differently and that are treated completely differently.
1. Ischemic Stroke
A small blood clot can form in a blood vessel and block an artery in the brain. In some cases, the clot may develop elsewhere in the body and travel through the bloodstream to the brain, where it becomes lodged and blocks the vessel, preventing blood flow to parts of the brain. The medical term for this type of blood clot is an embolus.
2. Hemorrhagic Stroke
When a weakened blood vessel in the brain bursts, it bleeds into the surrounding brain tissue and damages it. The two types of weakened blood vessels that may lead to a haemorrhagic stroke are called: Aneurysm and arteriovenous malformations. Most haemorrhagic strokes are caused by uncontrolled blood pressure, but there are other reasons why blood vessels in the brain can become weakened too. About 3 in 10 strokes are caused by bleeding, the majority are caused by clots.
A Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is temporarily interrupted. The cause of a TIA is similar to that of a stroke, but the symptoms are usually temporary and typically resolve completely within 24 hours. If you experience a TIA, you will have the same symptoms as a stroke; however, you will recover quickly, and a TIA usually does not cause permanent damage to the brain. Because a TIA presents in the same way as a stroke at first, it is important to act immediately and seek medical attention. A mini-stroke is a warning sign that a more severe stroke may occur in the future, so it must be taken seriously and should never be ignored.
