What kind of stroke

There are usually no warning signs and bleeding can be severe enough to cause coma or death. Subarachnoid hemorrhage results when bleeding occurs between the brain and the membrane that covers the brain meninges in the subarachnoid space.

This type of hemorrhage is often due to an aneurysm or an arteriovenous malformation AVM. It can also be caused by trauma. An aneurysm is a weakened, ballooned area on an artery wall and has a risk for rupturing. Aneurysms may be congenital present at birth , or may develop later in life due to such factors as high blood pressure or atherosclerosis. An AVM is a congenital disorder that consists of a disorderly tangled web of arteries and veins. The cause of AVM is unknown, but it is sometimes genetic or part of certain syndromes.

Recurrent strokes occur in about 1 in 4 people who have had a stroke within 5 years after a first stroke. The risk is greatest right after a stroke and decreases over time. The likelihood of severe disability and death increases with each recurrent stroke. At 88 years old, Mary is an avid Scrabble player and church choir singer.

She knows her way around the iPad. Health Home Conditions and Diseases Stroke. Strokes can be classified into 2 main categories: Ischemic strokes. What is an ischemic stroke? Ischemic strokes are further divided into 2 groups: Thrombotic strokes. Thrombotic stroke Thrombotic strokes are strokes caused by a thrombus blood clot that develops in the arteries supplying blood to the brain.

Embolic stroke Embolic strokes are usually caused by a blood clot that forms elsewhere in the body embolus and travels through the bloodstream to the brain. Stroke ; 36 : Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide.

Sign In or Create an Account. Sign In. Advanced Search. Search Menu. Article Navigation. Close mobile search navigation Article Navigation. Volume Article Contents References. What Kind of Stroke Is It? Departments of Clinical Neuroscience.

Oxford Academic. Google Scholar. Split View Views. Select Format Select format. Permissions Icon Permissions. Some answers may lie in the deceptively simple question, what is a stroke? Potential conflicts of interest: Employment or Leadership: M.

Stock Ownership: None declared. Expert Testimony: None declared. J Neurol Sci. Search ADS. Clin Chem. Cerebrovasc Dis. Issue Section:. Download all slides. View Metrics. Email alerts Article activity alert. Advance article alerts. The different stroke types cause similar symptoms because each affects blood flow in your brain.

The only way to determine what type of stroke you may be having is to seek medical attention. A doctor will order imaging tests to view your brain. A TIA will cause these symptoms for a short amount of time, usually anywhere from one to five minutes.

A stroke is a medical emergency for a reason — it can have life-threatening consequences. The brain controls the major functions of human life. Complications can vary according to the stroke type and if you are able to successfully receive treatment. Examples of complications include:. Behavior changes: Having a stroke can contribute to depression or anxiety. You also may experience changes in your behavior, such as being more impulsive or more withdrawn from socializing with others.

Speech difficulties: A stroke can impact areas of your brain having to do with speech and swallowing. Numbness or pain: A stroke can cause numbness and decreased sensation in parts of your body. This can be painful. Sometimes injury to the brain can also affect your ability to sense temperature. This condition is known as central stroke pain and can be difficult to treat. Paralysis: Because of the way your brain works to direct movement, a stroke in the right side of your brain can affect movement on the left side of your body and vice-versa.

You may be able to regain lost motor function, speech, or swallowing abilities after a stroke through rehabilitation. However, these can take time to regain. Treatments for stroke depend on many factors. These include what kind it is and how long it lasted. Treatments for TIA include taking medications that will help prevent future strokes. These medications include antiplatelets and anticoagulants. Antiplatelets reduce the likelihood that components of your blood called platelets will stick together and cause a clot.

Aspirin and clopidogrel Plavix are antiplatelet medications. Anticoagulants are medications that reduce the buildup of clotting proteins. Several different types of these medications exist, including warfarin Coumadin and dabigatran Pradaxa. A doctor may also recommend a surgery called a carotid endarterectomy. This removes plaque buildup in the carotid artery of your neck, which is a major cause of stroke. The ischemic stroke treatments you receive depend on how quickly you get to a hospital.

They also depend on your individual medical history. If you seek treatment within three hours for this type of stroke, your doctor may be able to give you a medication known as tissue plasminogen activator tPA.