What is a Stroke?
Strokes are caused by either a sudden interruption in blood flow to a part of the brain or by bleeding within the brain tissue. When this happens, brain cells are deprived of oxygen and begin to die, causing brain damage. When brain cells die during a stroke, the function controlled by that part of the brain, like speech or movement, may be impaired.
There are two major types of strokes: hemorrhagic stroke and ischemic stroke. A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when damaged blood vessels in the brain allow bleeding into the brain tissue, resulting in swelling and pressure that damages the brain. An ischemic stroke occurs when a blockage develops in a blood vessel carrying blood to the brain.
Some of the common causes of an ischemic stroke are:
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis occurs when plaque from fat and cholesterol builds up and hardens the arteries. When too much plaque collects in one spot, it can block the blood flow to the brain and cause a stroke.
Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation (AFib or AF) is an irregular heartbeat. While many people with AFib live normal lives, the condition does put you at a certain risk of stroke. When the blood doesn’t move through the heart the way it should, blood clots can form and travel to the brain, causing a stroke.