A stroke is a sudden loss of brain function due to poor blood supply; this causes brain cells to die. Some possible causes include blockages in the arteries, a blood clot that has traveled to the brain, or bleeding of the brain. This is a serious medical emergency that can result in permanent brain damage or death if left untreated.

What are the symptoms?

Stroke victims often experience a variety of symptoms. Some common signs include paralysis or weakness on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, double vision or blurred vision. The victim may also experience disorientation or a sudden headache with or without stiffness Sometimes the person loses their ability to process spatial information or has memory loss.

While most strokes come about with no previous signs of distress, some people may experience a TIA, or transient chemical attack. This happens when blood is cut off from the brain for a short time. The symptoms are similar to those of a stroke, but with a TIA, they last only a little while. They can appear for only a few minutes or last for a full 24 hours before everything goes back to normal. This is cause for concern and should be reported to a doctor.

What causes a stroke?

Most strokes (about 80%) are caused by insufficient blood flow to the brain; these are called ischemic strokes. This type of stroke comes about when arteries become blocked. Thrombotic strokes are caused by formation of a blood clot in one of the arteries that carries blood to the brain. This can cause brain cell death in a very short time. Atherosclerosis, a hardening of the arteries due to plaque, is often to blame for this type of stroke.

Embolic strokes occur when a blood clot begins in an artery but travels to the brain and becomes lodged in a smaller artery there. Usually, this type of clot forms when the heart beats in an irregular rhythm.

Strokes can also happen when there is bleeding in the brain. If blood leaks out, it will damage blood cells and keep blood from reaching other cells. This type of stroke is often due to high blood pressure, which causes the small arteries to rupture.

Another hemorrhagic (bleeding) stroke occurs when an artery on the brain’s surface ruptures and begins to fill the empty space between the brain and the skull with blood. This often causes a severe headache. People can suffer this stroke due to age or through hereditary susceptibility.

Who is at risk?

There are many factors that contribute to a person’s risk of stroke. As people age, they are more likely to have a stroke. People with hypertension (high blood pressure) and high blood cholesterol are also at increased risk. Race is also a factor; people of African ancestry are more prone to stroke than those of other races. A family history of stroke is also a sign that you are at higher risk for stroke. Women are more likely to die of a stroke than men. Smoking, obesity, birth control pills, and cardiovascular disease all make one more likely to have a stroke.