Stroke types comparison: Causes, symptoms, and additional details on ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes
Understanding Strokes: Ischemic vs Hemorrhagic
Strokes, often referred to as brain attacks, are a leading cause of disability and death worldwide. They occur when blood flow to a part of the brain is either restricted or cut off entirely, leading to brain cells being deprived of oxygen and nutrients. This article aims to shed light on the two main types of strokes - ischemic and hemorrhagic - and their common causes.
Ischemic Stroke
Ischemic strokes are primarily caused by a blockage in a blood vessel supplying the brain. The most common causes include:
- Thrombosis: A blood clot forms inside a brain artery, often where the artery is narrowed by atherosclerosis (plaque buildup).
- Embolism: A clot or debris formed elsewhere in the body (often the heart) travels to the brain and obstructs a vessel.
- Atherosclerosis: Narrowing of arteries from cholesterol deposits, which can lead to clot formation or embolism.
- Other causes include vasospasm (e.g., due to cocaine use) and systemic conditions like cancer inducing hypercoagulability.
Hemorrhagic Stroke
Hemorrhagic strokes occur due to bleeding in or around the brain. The common causes include:
- Hypertension (high blood pressure), which weakens small arteries or arterioles, making them prone to rupture.
- Intracranial vascular malformations such as arteriovenous malformations or cavernous angiomas.
- Cerebral amyloid angiopathy, a condition involving protein deposits in brain vessels.
- Secondary hemorrhage into areas of ischemic infarct.
- Trauma, bleeding disorders, illicit drug use (amphetamines, cocaine), and aneurysms (ballooning of weakened artery walls) are also causes.
- Additionally, malignant conditions and artery spasms can contribute to hemorrhagic events.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Healthcare professionals use various diagnostic tools to identify the type and extent of a stroke. These may include CT or MRI scans, blood tests, electrocardiograms, and lumbar punctures. The treatment for each type of stroke varies significantly. For ischemic strokes, thrombolytic drugs such as tissue plasminogen activator may be administered if the patient reaches the hospital within 3 hours of the stroke starting. For hemorrhagic strokes, doctors aim to stop the bleeding using endovascular procedures, surgical treatment, and medications like beta-blockers.
Prevention
Making lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk of stroke. This includes following treatment guidelines for heart conditions, keeping blood pressure, glucose levels, and cholesterol levels within recommended ranges, and making lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, maintaining a moderate weight, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet.
Swift diagnosis of a stroke is crucial to prevent long-term brain damage. It is essential to be aware of the FAST signs of stroke - Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, and Time to call emergency services - and the difference between thrombosis and embolism.
| Stroke Type | Common Causes | |--------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------| | Ischemic Stroke| Thrombosis (local clot), embolism (traveling clot), atherosclerosis, vasospasm, cancer-induced hypercoagulability | | Hemorrhagic Stroke | Hypertension, vascular malformations, amyloid angiopathy, aneurysm rupture, trauma, bleeding disorders, illicit drugs |
[1] American Heart Association. (2020). Stroke. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/stroke [2] National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2021). Brain Attack Coalition FAST Facts. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Understanding-Stroke/FAST-Facts [3] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Transient ischemic attack (TIA). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/transient-ischemic-attack/symptoms-causes/syc-20353687 [4] National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2021). Hemorrhagic Stroke. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Understanding-Stroke/Hemorrhagic-Stroke [5] American Stroke Association. (2021). Stroke Prevention. https://www.strokeassociation.org/en/about-stroke/understanding-stroke/prevention-of-stroke/stroke-prevention
Neurological disorders, such as strokes, fall under the category of health-and-wellness medical conditions. Understanding the science behind strokes, particularly the differences between ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, is crucial for prevention. Ischemic strokes, caused by blockages in brain arteries, can stem from thrombosis, embolism, atherosclerosis, and other conditions like vasospasm and cancer-induced hypercoagulability. On the other hand, hemorrhagic strokes occur due to bleeding in or around the brain, which can be caused by high blood pressure, intracranial vascular malformations, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, aneurysms, trauma, and various malignant conditions.
