Types of strokes

1. Types of Strokes

2. What is a stroke? A stroke is a sudden loss of brain function. It is caused when the flow of blood to the brain is blocked or the blood vessels in the brain are ruptured. The interruption of blood flow or the rupture of blood vessels causes brain cells (neurons) in the affected area to die.

3. What are the types of strokes? • Ischaemic stroke - An ischaemic stroke is caused due to a blood clot. Blood clotting is usually beneficial as it helps to slow down or stop bleeding from a wound, however, in case of a stroke, blood clots are dangerous as they block the arteries and cut off blood flow. • Haemorrhagic stroke – Haemorrhagic strokes are caused by a break in the wall of a blood vessel in the brain which causes blood to leak into the brain, again stopping the delivery of oxygen and nutrients.

4. Ischaemic stroke There are two ways an ischaemic stroke can occur

5. Embolic stroke An Embolic Stroke occurs when there’s a blood clot somewhere in the body (usually in heart) and the clot travels through the bloodstream to your brain. When the clot reaches your brain, it travels to a blood vessel which is too small for the it to pass through, and it gets stuck and blocks blood flow.

6. Thrombotic Stroke As the blood flows through the arteries, it may leave behind cholesterol-laden ‘plaques’ that stick to the inner wall of the artery. Over time, these plaques can increase in size and narrow or block the artery and stop blood getting through. In the case of stroke, the plaques most often affect the major arteries in the neck taking blood to the brain. Strokes caused in this way are called thrombotic strokes.

7. Haemorrhagic stroke There are two ways an Haemorrhagic stroke can occur

8. Intracerebral haemorrhage Intracerebral haemorrhageoccurs when an artery inside the brain bursts and bleeds into the brain. The most common cause is high blood pressure (hypertension)

9. Subarachnoid haemorrhage Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is bleeding on the surface of the brain. There are 3 layers of membrane (or meninges) that cover the brain. A subarachnoid haemorrhage is a bleed that happens between the layer closest to the brain and the second layer.

10. An aneurysm An aneurysm is a weak spot in the wall of an artery that balloons out. As the aneurysm gets bigger, it gets weaker and can burst. If the aneurysm bursts, it leaks blood into the brain.A burst aneurysm is usually caused by high blood pressure (hypertension) or trauma (a sudden injury to the head).

11. An arteriovenous malformation (AVM) An arteriovenous malformationis a tangled mass of blood vessels (arteries and veins). It can occur anywhere in the body, including the brain. An AVM is usually present at birth. It may be that as you get older, the blood vessels get bigger and weaker. If the AVM is located in the brain and the blood vessel walls burst, then you will have a haemorrhagic stroke.

12. Conclusion It is important that if stroke symptoms occur, the person sees a doctor promptly, even if the signs go away and you feel completely better. The doctor will try to find the underlying cause of the stroke treatment and then organise treatment to lower your risk of another attack or stroke.

13. For More information about Stroke treatment in India • Visit: http://www.carehospitals.com/spsubspecialty-neurosciences • Follow US on Social Media • @Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carehospitalsindia • @twitter: https://twitter.com/CARE_Hospitals1 • Subscribe to our Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/carehospitalsindia

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