Knowing the signs of a stroke is the first step in stroke prevention. A stroke, sometimes called a brain attack, occurs when blood flow to an area in the brain is cut off. The brain cells, deprived of the oxygen and glucose needed to survive, die. If a stroke is not caught early, permanent brain damage or death can result. How Does a Stroke Occur? There are two types of stroke. Ischemic stroke is similar to a heart attack except it occurs in the blood vessels of the brain. Clots can form in the brains blood vessels, in blood vessels leading to the brain, or even in blood vessels elsewhere in the body and then travel to the brain. These clots block blood flow to the brains cells. Ischemic stroke can also occur when too much plaque (fatty deposits and cholesterol) clogs the brains blood vessels. About 80% of all strokes are ischemic. Hemorrhagic (heh-more-raj-ik) strokes occur when a blood vessel in the brain breaks or ruptures. The result is blood seeping into the brain tissue, causing damage to brain cells. The most common causes of hemorrhagic stroke are high blood pressure and brain aneurysms. An aneurysm is a weakness or thinness in the blood vessel wall.
Posted on: Sun, 30 Mar 2014 14:05:50 +0000