What Is A Stroke?
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is suddenly interrupted. Appropriately, strokes are also called brain attacks. There are three different types of stroke, according to the American Stroke Association.
- Ischemic stroke is the most common type, accounting for 87 percent of all strokes. An ischemic stroke results from an obstruction within a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain. There are two types of ischemic strokes: thrombotic, caused by a blood clot within the brain, and embolic, which is caused by a blood clot elsewhere in the body.
- Hemorrhagic stroke is caused by a weakened or ruptured blood vessel.
- Transient ischemic attack (TIA), often called a mini stroke, is caused by a temporary clot. Despite the name, they should be taken seriously.
Here are 5 warning signs you might get hit, so you can act fast and be prepared.
1 / 5 Loss In Motor Functions
“When someone has a stroke, the part of the brain which lacks blood flow ceases to function properly. If the territory of the stroke is responsible for a particular action, such as speaking or lifting ones arm or leg, those functions become impaired, leading to a corresponding loss of speech,” says Towfigh. “Strokes can effect various brain regions and the region that is effected determines the deficit that occurs,” he adds.