Ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel supplying the brain, leading to oxygen deprivation and cell damage. As the most common type of...
An ischemic stroke happens when a blood clot obstructs an artery that carries blood to the brain, cutting off the supply of oxygen and nutrients to brain tissue. This blockage leads to the death of brain cells in the affected area.
Common symptoms often appear suddenly and include numbness or weakness on one side of the body (face, arm, or leg), confusion, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, vision problems in one or both eyes, and a sudden severe headache. The acronym FAST (Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call emergency) helps remember key signs.
Ischemic strokes are primarily caused by atherosclerosis, a condition where plaque builds up in arteries, leading to clots that block blood flow within the brain's vessels, or by emboli (clots) that travel from other parts of the body, such as the heart or neck arteries, to the brain.
Immediate treatment focuses on restoring blood flow to the brain. This can involve intravenous clot-busting medications (thrombolytics like tPA) if administered within a few hours of symptom onset, or mechanical thrombectomy, a surgical procedure to physically remove the clot, for eligible patients.