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Types Of Stroke

Stroke is generally described as ischaemic or haemorrhagic in other words a blood clot—thrombosis—or a bleed—burst blood vessel or haemorrhage.

Ischaemic Strokes

There are basically two different ways in which an ischaemic stroke can occur, cerebral thrombosis and cerebral embolism. In both cases the blood supply cannot continue past the point of blockage.

Cerebral Thrombosis

You may hear your stroke referred to as a cerebral thrombosis.

This means that a blood clot, known as a thrombus, has formed in an artery supplying blood to your brain and blocked the flow of blood. A thrombus quite often forms where there is a damaged spot on the artery wall. The thrombus is more likely to block the flow of blood if the lining of the artery has become furred up with fatty deposits over the years. This furring up is known as ‘atheroma’ or ‘atherosclerosis’. See diagram.

Cerebral Embolism

If your stroke is described as a cerebral embolism, this means it has been caused by an embolus. An embolus is a clot which formed elsewhere in your body and then traveled through your blood vessels to the brain, where it blocked an artery.

The embolus may have formed in one of the blood vessels in your neck or it may have formed in your heart and then become dislodged. An embolus can form in the heart following a heart attack or be caused by an abnormal heart rhythm, or a problem with one of the valves of the heart.

Haemorrhagic Strokes

There are 2 main types of haemorrhagic stroke. Both refer to a bleed

Intra-Cerebral Haemorrhage

If your stroke is described as an intra-cerebral haemorrhage, this means that it was caused by bleeding inside the brain itself. Intra-cerebral means within the brain.

Subarachnoid Haemorrhage

Your stroke may be referred to as a subarachnoid haemorrhage. This means that it was it was caused by a blood vessel bursting and bleeding into the subarachnoid space, which surrounds the brain.

Brain & Spine Foundation

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