Ischemic Stroke

An ischemic stroke is a type of stroke in which not enough oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood reaches the brain. Accounting for about 80 percent of all strokes, this type of stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain or neck becomes severely narrowed or blocked. Risk factors include having high blood pressure, being African American, and smoking. Symptoms of such a stroke may include sudden confusion, dizziness, and numbness in the limbs or face. Treatment often involves thrombolytic ("clot-busting") drugs, stroke rehabilitation, and lifestyle changes.

Stroke Information

What Is an Ischemic Stroke?

An ischemic stroke is a type of stroke that occurs when not enough essential oxygen- and nutrient- rich blood is able to get to certain parts of the brain for a long enough period of time that brain tissue is damaged and eventually dies (known medically as a brain infarction). Ischemic strokes account for approximately 80 percent of all strokes. The second main type of stroke -- hemorrhagic stroke -- accounts for the other 20 percent of strokes.

What Causes It?

An ischemic stroke occurs because a blood vessel in the brain or neck becomes severely narrowed or blocked. There are a several ways in which a blood vessel in the brain may become severely narrowed or blocked. The two most common are an embolism and thrombosis. An embolism occurs when a blood clot or other tissue from another part of the body (such as the heart) moves through the blood into to the neck or brain.

In thrombosis, a blood clot (known as a thrombus) forms within a blood vessel of the brain or neck. Unlike an embolism, with thrombosis, the blood clot does not break free.

A third way that a blood vessel can become narrowed or blocked involves stenosis. Stenosis is severe narrowing of an artery in or leading to the brain. Stenosis is most often caused by a plaque buildup.

(Click Stroke Causes to learn about specific causes for narrowing or blocked arteries.)

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