What is an ischemic stroke?
An ischemic stroke is a medical emergency that happens when a blood vessel becomes blocked in your brain, interrupting blood flow to a portion of the brain. Brain cells can’t function when they are deprived of the vital oxygen and nutrients that your blood cells carry. Ischemic strokes are the most common type of stroke, accounting for nearly 90% of all strokes. The other type of stroke is hemorrhagic stroke, when there is bleeding in the brain.
If you think you or someone else is having a stroke, call 911 right away. Quick diagnosis and treatment can save a life—every second matters.
Types of ischemic strokes
There are two main types of ischemic strokes:
- Thrombotic stroke: This happens when a blood clot forms in the brain and blocks blood flow.
- Embolic stroke: This occurs when a clot forms elsewhere in the body, travels to the brain, and gets stuck in a blood vessel.
What is a transient ischemic attack (TIA)?
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) , also known as a "mini-stroke," causes stroke-like symptoms but doesn’t cause lasting damage. However, it’s a serious warning sign that a major stroke could happen soon. If you or someone you know experiences a TIA, seek emergency medical care right away.
Ischemic stroke symptoms
Ischemic stroke symptoms typically come on quickly without another apparent cause. Symptoms can differ depending on the part of the brain being deprived of blood. Men and women both experience many of the same stroke symptoms, but some symptoms, such as disorientation, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and weakness, may be more common in women.
Symptoms of an ischemic stroke include:
- Confusion
- Changes to mood or personality
- Difficulty with speaking and understanding, such as slurring of speech
- Difficulty walking
- Dizziness
- Drooping of the face, especially on one side
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Loss of balance
- Nausea or vomiting
- Weakness in your arm or leg, often on just one side of your body
- Problems with seeing, hearing, touch and other senses
- Trouble with coordination
- Unconsciousness or coma
- Numbness or tingling, especially on one side of the body
When to see a doctor
See your doctor anytime you experience stroke symptoms that come on swiftly. Call 911 immediately if you or someone else experiences the “B.E. F.A.S.T.” stroke symptoms:
- Balance: The person loses balance or becomes uncoordinated.
- Eyes: The person has vision problems in one or both eyes.
- Face: Their face droops, or they have uneven facial expressions.
- Arms: Their arm is weak or drifts down when held up.
- Speech: Their speech is slurred or hard to understand.
- Time: It is time to call 911.
Ischemic stroke causes
The most common cause of ischemic stroke is a condition called atherosclerosis, where fatty deposits (called plaque) build up inside blood vessels. These deposits can cause two types of blockages:
- Cerebral thrombosis happens when a blood clot forms where plaque has built up in a vessel that supplies blood to the brain. This can occur in the small vessels in the brain.
- Cerebral embolism occurs when a blood clot forms in the large arteries in the chest or neck. The clot can break loose, travel through the bloodstream, and get stuck in smaller brain vessels. Sometimes blood clots can block an artery in the neck completely, causing the stroke.
The second most common cause of ischemic stroke is embolism, or blockage in a blood vessel, from the heart that travels to the brain. An irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation is the most likely cause of this type of stroke. There are other possible causes of embolic stroke, such as:
- Heart failure
- Clotting disorders
- Infections in the bloodstream
- A hole in the heart, a condition called a patent foramen ovale
Complications
Ischemic stroke can have severe complications and may even be fatal. The type and severity of complications depend on the location of the blockage and how much of the brain was damaged. Ischemic stroke complications include:
- Venous blood clots: If you are unable to walk around after a stroke, blood clots may form.
- Incontinence: You may have trouble controlling your bladder or bowels.
- Language problems: These include difficulty communicating or understanding.
- Loss of physical senses: You may have difficulty with hearing, sight or sensation.
- Physical weakness or difficulty moving: This can hinder your ability to work or perform daily tasks.
- Problems with thinking and memory: You may have issues with concentration or decision-making.
- Seizures: These are more likely in the first few weeks after a stroke but can happen at any time.
- Speech and swallowing problems: These can affect eating and talking. You can get pneumonia if you inhale food or drink into your lungs.
