A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of your brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients. There are two main types of stroke:

  1. Ischemic Stroke: This is the most common type of stroke, accounting for about 85% of all cases. It occurs when a blood clot blocks or narrows an artery leading to the brain. This can happen due to atherosclerotic plaques in the arteries (thrombotic stroke) or due to a clot formed elsewhere in the body that travels to the brain (embolic stroke).

  2. Hemorrhagic Stroke: This type of stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain leaks or ruptures. Hemorrhagic strokes can be caused by factors such as high blood pressure, aneurysms, or blood vessel abnormalities.

There is also a condition known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA), often called a "mini-stroke," which is caused by a temporary decrease in blood supply to part of the brain. TIAs should be treated as medical emergencies just like strokes, as they often precede a full-blown stroke.

Symptoms of Stroke include:

  • Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.

  • Confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech.

  • Trouble seeing in one or both eyes.

  • Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination.

  • Severe headache with no known cause.

Treatment:

  • Ischemic Stroke: Immediate treatment aims to restore blood flow. This can involve the use of clot-busting drugs (like tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA), and mechanical clot removal in some cases.

  • Hemorrhagic Stroke: Treatment focuses on controlling bleeding and reducing pressure in the brain. This can include drugs to reduce blood pressure, prevent seizures, and prevent vasospasm (constriction of blood vessels).

Prevention includes managing risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and smoking. Lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medications can significantly reduce the risk of strokes.

It's critical to seek immediate medical attention if you or someone else is exhibiting symptoms of a stroke. The effectiveness of stroke treatments is often highest if administered soon after stroke symptoms begin.