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Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Ⓒ 2024 Dotdash Media, Inc. — All rights reserved Health A-Z Brain & Nervous System Stroke Symptoms Diagnosis & Treatment Causes & Risk Factors Living With Prevention For Caregivers Medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD Updated on February 24, 2023 Strokes can occur in different ways. The most common type of stroke, an ischemic stroke, is caused when a blood clot travels to the brain, interrupting blood flow and depriving the brain of oxygen. Hemorrhagic strokes are less common and occur when a blood vessel ruptures, causing bleeding in the brain. In the aftermath of a stroke, many patients undergo physical, occupational, and speech therapy to restore function. In general, the sooner a stroke is recognized and treated, the better the prognosis. Signs & Symptoms Signs and Symptoms of Stroke Women and Strokes: What You Should Know Signs of Stroke In Men: What You Need to Know Visual Changes After an Occipital Lobe Stroke Key Terms Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) Artery Blockage Cardiovascular Disease Hemorrhagic Stroke Ischemic Stroke Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) A group of blood vessels that are abnormally interconnected with one another. AVMs can occur throughout the body. AVMs that occur in the brain may be particularly harmful and cause stroke symptoms. Brain Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) Artery Blockage A blockage caused by deposits of cholesterol and other lipids, calcium, and large inflammatory cells; also called plaques. When plaque builds up in the arterial walls, it can disrupt blood flow to the heart or brain, resulting in heart attack or stroke. An Overview of Atherosclerosis Cardiovascular Disease Also called heart disease, cardiovascular disease is a term used for a wide variety of heart conditions that can affect the heart muscle, valves, vessels, structure, electrical system, or coronary arteries. What to Know About Heart Disease Hemorrhagic Stroke Strokes caused by a ruptured blood vessel, leading to bleeding in the brain. Hemorrhagic strokes are subdivided into two types: intracerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Types and Categories of Stroke Ischemic Stroke A stroke caused by blockage of one of the blood vessels leading to the brain. There are two types of ischemic stroke. A thrombotic stroke is caused by a clot directly inside the blood vessel; an embolic stroke is when the blood clot originates in other areas of the body, such as the heart, and travels to blood vessels in the brain. Types and Categories of Stroke Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) Also called a mini stroke, a transient ischemic attack is a brief stroke that resolves on its own. Unlike with an actual stroke, blood flow during a TIA is quickly restored before permanent brain injury can occur. What Does a Mini Stroke Mean? Causes & Risk Factors These Are the Top 10 Signs That You Are at Risk of Stroke How Your Healthcare Provider Can Determine Your Stroke Risk The Relationship Between Head Trauma and Stroke Daily Aspirin Is Sometimes Recommended to Prevent a Stroke Frequently Asked Questions What causes a stroke? An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot impedes blood flow to the brain. Risk factors include diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and arrhythmia. A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when there is a rupture of a blood vessel in the brain, such as in cases of high blood pressure, aneurysm or arteriovenous malformation. Learn More Causes and Risk Factors of Stroke What are the signs of a stroke? Key signs of a stroke include facial drooping, arm weakness, and speech difficulties. Other possible signs are vision problems, a severe headache, confusion, and dizziness. Less commonly, first signs of a stroke can include incontinence, lack of coordination, and a sudden sensation of burning or tingling of the skin. Learn More Signs and Symptoms of a Stroke How can you prevent a stroke? The best ways to prevent a stroke are to control high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. If you smoke, find out how to quit. Reducing alcohol consumption, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight are also important. Learn More How to Prevent a Stroke What does a stroke feel like? In most cases, stroke symptoms are not painful, although a severe headache may occur in hemorrhagic strokes. The most common signs are drooping on one side of the face, weakness in an arm or leg, and difficulty speaking normally. Learn More Signs and Symptoms of a Stroke What is heat stroke? Heat stroke can occur as a result of extreme heat exposure and is a medical emergency. Heat stroke typically comes on suddenly, worsens quickly, and may lead to a coma, irreversible brain damage, and death. Learn More Heat What is a mini stroke? A mini stroke, also called a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or a pre-stroke, is a brief stroke that resolves on its own. As with stroke, there is a lack of blood flow to the brain. In the case of a mini stroke, however, blood flow is quickly restored before permanent brain injury can occur. Learn More What Does a Mini Stroke Mean? Can stress cause a stroke? Stress is not an independent risk factor for stroke. However, stress is linked with factors such as high blood pressure, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and obesity, all of which, in turn, increase stroke risk. Learn More The Connection Between Stress and Stroke Risk How do you treat hemorrhagic stroke? Reducing blood pressure with intravenous medications is the first step in treating a hemorrhagic stroke; if the patient takes a blood thinner, something will be given to reverse its effects. If the hemorrhage is small, supportive care may be all that is needed. For more serious strokes, surgery may be needed to repair the rupture and stop the bleeding. Learn More Hemorrhagic Strokes Life After a Stroke How Long Does It Take to Recover from a Stroke? Stroke Prognosis: Survival Rate, Life Expectancy, and More Why Your Loved One Might Be Acting Differently After a Stroke 3 Types of Aphasia That May Result From Stroke Stroke Level Blood Pressure: Determining Risk Based on Levels Can Ginkgo Biloba Aid in Stroke Recovery? Blood Clot in Brain: Survival, Treatment, Post-Op Carotid Artery Disease: Serious Neck Blockage Effects What Is a Cerebrovascular Accident? Everything You Should Know About Stroke The Difference Between a Stroke and a Heart Attack Can You Have a Stroke in Your Sleep? What Is a Subarachnoid Hemorrhage? The Link Between Ocular Migraines and Strokes What to Do (and Not Do) If Someone Is Having a Stroke Right-Sided Strokes: What to Expect Coping...