What is a TIA - Transient Ischemic Attack?

When blood flow to part of the brain stops for a short period of time, also called transient ischemic attack (TIA), it can mimic stroke-like symptoms. These symptoms appear and last less than 24 hours before disappearing. While TIAs generally do not cause permanent brain damage, they are a serious warning sign that a stroke may happen in the future and should not be ignored.

TIAs are usually caused by one of three things:

1.     Low blood flow at a narrow part of a major artery carrying blood to the brain, such as the carotid artery.

2.     A blood clot in another part of the body (such as the heart) breaks off, travels to the brain, and blocks a blood vessel in the brain.

3.     Narrowing of the smaller blood vessel in the brain, blocking blood flow for a short period of time; usually caused by plaque (a fatty substance) build-up.

Some important facts to keep in mind include:

• 40 percent of people who have a TIA will have an actual stroke
• Nearly half of all strokes occur within the first few days after a TIA

 Learn more about TIAs using this link: 
 http://www.stroke.org/understand-stroke/what-stroke/what-tia

Ischemic stroke

Ischemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel carrying blood to the brain is blocked by a blood clot. This causes blood not to reach the brain. High blood pressure is the most important risk factor for this type of stroke. Ischemic strokes account for about 87% of all strokes. An ischemic stroke can occur in two ways.

Embolic Stroke

In an embolic stroke, a blood clot or plaque fragment forms somewhere in the body (usually the heart) and travels to the brain. Once in the brain, the clot travels to a blood vessel small enough to block its passage. The clot lodges there, blocking the blood vessel and causing a stroke. About 15% of embolic strokes occur in people with atrial fibrillation (Afib). The medical word for this type of blood clot is embolus.

Thrombotic Stroke

A thrombotic stroke is caused by a blood clot that forms inside one of the arteries supplying blood to the brain.  This type of stroke is usually seen in people with high cholesterol levels and atherosclerosis. The medical word for a clot that forms on a blood-vessel deposit is thrombus.

Two types of blood clots can cause thrombotic stroke: large vessel thrombosis and small vessel disease.  

Large Vessel Thrombosis

The most common form of thrombotic stroke (large vessel thrombosis) occurs in the brain’s larger arteries. In most cases it is caused by long-term atherosclerosis in combination with rapid blood clot formation. High cholesterol is a common risk factor for this type of stroke.

Small Vessel Disease

Another form of thrombotic stroke happens when blood flow is blocked to a very small arterial vessel (small vessel disease or lacunar infarction). Little is known about the causes of this type of stroke, but it is closely linked to high blood pressure.

Learn more about Strokes using this link:

http://www.stroke.org/understand-stroke/what-stroke/ischemic-stroke

Hemorrhagic stroke

There are two types of stroke, hemorrhagic and ischemic. Hemorrhagic strokes are less common, in fact only 15 percent of all strokes are hemorrhagic, but they are responsible for about 40 percent of all stroke deaths.

A hemorrhagic stroke is either a brain aneurism burst or a weakened blood vessel leak. Blood spills into or around the brain and creates swelling and pressure, damaging cells and tissue in the brain. There are two types of hemorrhagic stroke called intracerebal and subarachnoid

Intracerebral Hemorrhage
The most common hemorrhagic stroke happens when a blood vessel inside the brain bursts and leaks blood into surrounding brain tissue (intracerebal hemorrhage). The bleeding causes brain cells to die and the affected part of the brain stops working correctly. High blood pressure and aging blood vessels are the most common causes of this type of stroke.

Sometimes intracerebral hemorrhagic stroke can be caused by an arteriovenous malformation (AVM). AVM is a genetic condition of abnormal connection between arteries and veins and most often occurs in the brain or spine. If AVM occurs in the brain, vessels can break and bleed into the brain.  The cause of AVM is unclear but once diagnosed it can be treated successfully.

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

This type of stroke involves bleeding in the area between the brain and the tissue covering the brain, known as the subarachnoid space. This type of stroke is most often caused by a burst aneurism. Other causes include:

• AVM
• Bleeding disorders
• Head injury
• Blood thinners

To learn more about Hemorrhagic strokes use this link: http://www.stroke.org/understand-stroke/what-stroke/hemorrhagic-stroke

What is a Stroke?

A stroke is a "brain attack". It can happen to anyone at any time. It occurs when blood flow to an area of brain is cut off. When this happens, brain cells are deprived of oxygen and begin to die. When brain cells die during a stroke, abilities controlled by that area of the brain such as memory and muscle control are lost.

How a person is affected by their stroke depends on where the stroke occurs in the brain and how much the brain is damaged. For example, someone who had a small stroke may only have minor problems such as temporary weakness of an arm or leg. People who have larger strokes may be permanently paralyzed on one side of their body or lose their ability to speak. Some people recover completely from strokes, but more than 2/3 of survivors will have some type of disability.

Stroke By The Numbers

• Each year nearly 800,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke.
• A stroke happens every 40 seconds
• Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S.
• Every 4 minutes someone dies from stroke
• Up to 80 percent of strokes can be prevented
• Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability in the U.S.

     Learn more about Strokes using this link:

     http://www.stroke.org/understand-stroke/what-stroke

Stroke facts

Although stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in America and a leading cause of adult disability, many myths surround this disease. Test how much you know about stroke today:

                             MYTH                                                                         FACT    

MYTH: Stroke cannot be prevented.	FACT: Up to 80 percent of strokes are  preventable.
MYTH: There is no treatment for stroke.	FACT: At any sign of stroke call 9-1-1-  immediately. Treatment may be available.
MYTH: Stroke only affects the elderly.	FACT: Stroke can happen to anyone at any time.
MYTH: Stroke happens in the heart.	FACT: Stroke is a "brain attack".
MYTH: Stroke recovery only happens for the first few months after a stroke.	FACT: Stroke recovery is a lifelong process.
MYTH: Strokes are rare.	FACT: There are nearly 7 million stroke  survivors in the U.S. Stroke is the 5th  leading cause of death in the U.S.
MYTH: Strokes are not hereditary.	FACT: Family history of stroke increases  your chance for stroke.
MYTH: If stroke symptoms go away, you don’t have to see a doctor.	FACT: Temporary stroke symptoms are  called transient ischemic attacks (TIA).  They are warning signs prior to actual  stroke and need to be taken seriously.

     Learn more about Strokes using this link:

     http://www.stroke.org/understand-stroke/what-stroke