What Is a Stroke?
A stroke is a life-threatening and serious medical condition. It occurs when the blood flow to certain brain regions is significantly restricted or suddenly cut off. As a result, brain cells do not get enough oxygen and nutrients transported by the blood, which causes them to die quickly. This may lead to permanent damage to the brain. A stroke is a medical emergency that requires urgent treatment. The earlier you get the treatment, the higher the change of recovery will be. [1]
Types of Stroke
In general, there are 3 main types of stroke, which may determine the treatment plan. These include:
– Ischemic stroke: This type accounts for around 87 percent of stroke cases. It occurs when the flow of blood to the brain is blocked. A blood clot is the most common cause.
– Hemorrhagic stroke: This type occurs when an artery in the brain breaks open or leaks blood. This increases pressure on the brain and causes damage to cells.
– Transient ischemic attack, also known as mini stroke: This form is different from the two types above as the flow of blood to the brain is only blocked for a short period, typically fewer than five minutes. [2]
