Stroke Program
Types of Stroke
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked temporarily. TIA causes stroke symptoms that last for a short time, then go away. This is why TIAs are called “mini-strokes.” Having a TIA means there is a problem that should be corrected.
TIAs are a warning that a more serious stroke may occur. One-third of all stroke patients had TIA symptoms before their stroke. To prevent a future stroke, you must get treatment for a TIA.
Ischemic Stroke
Ischemic Strokes account for 87% of all strokes.
Ischemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain is blocked and blood flow is stopped. The blockage may be from a blood clot.
A clot that forms in an artery is called a thrombus. A clot that forms in the heart or an artery leading to the brain is an embolus.
In ischemic stroke, the clot travels to the brain and blocks a brain artery. Oxygen is then reduced or completely cut off to that part of the brain.
Hemorrhagic Stroke
Hemorrhagic strokes are caused by a weakened vessel that ruptures and bleeds into the surrounding brain. The blood accumulates and compresses the surrounding brain tissue. As a result, brain cells in the affected area die.
Hemorrhagic strokes make up about 13% of stroke cases.
Types of Hemorrhagic Stroke
Intracerebral hemorrhage
A small artery in the brain can break and spill blood into nearby brain tissue. Brain cells in the area are destroyed. This stroke is called an intracerebral hemorrhage, or “ICH” for short. High blood pressure is usually the cause of this type of stroke.
Subarachnoid hemorrhage
A large artery in the brain may become weak. It may stretch out, like a balloon filling with water. The “balloon” is called an aneurysm. The aneurysm may break, spilling blood into the space between the brain tissue and the membrane that covers the brain. This membrane is called the arachnoid membrane. The stroke is called a subarachnoid hemorrhage, or “SAH” for short.
