Written by A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, resulting in brain cell death. There are two main types of stroke:
- Ischemic stroke: This is the most common type of stroke, accounting for about 80% of all strokes. It occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery that supplies blood to the brain.
- Hemorrhagic stroke: This type of stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and bleeds into the brain tissue.
Strokes can cause a variety of symptoms, depending on the part of the brain that is affected. Common symptoms include:
- Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body
- Sudden difficulty speaking or understanding speech
- Sudden vision problems in one or both eyes
- Sudden dizziness, imbalance, or trouble walking
- Sudden headache with no known cause
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Early treatment can help to reduce the damage caused by the stroke and improve the chances of recovery.
There are a number of risk factors for stroke, including:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Physical inactivity
- Family history of stroke
- Age