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You are in: Home > Stroke Information > Types Of Stroke

Types Of Stroke

A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted. As a result brain cells are deprived of the oxygen and nutrients which they need. Some brain cells become damaged and others die.

There are two ways a stroke can happen:

• When a blood clot blocks one of the arteries which carries blood to the brain. This type of stroke is referred to as an ischaemic stroke
• As a result of bleeding within or around the brain from a burst blood vessel. This type of stroke is referred to as a haemorrhagic stroke.

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Ischaemic strokes

There are 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 (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'.

• 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.

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Haemorrhagic strokes

• 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.

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Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH)

SAH is a bleed into the outside of the brain, usually when a blood vessel near the surface of the brain ruptures. Once a diagnosis of SAH is made, treatment and recovery is very different from a stroke caused by a clot or a bleed within the brain.

For more information about SAH please contact:

Brain and Spine Foundation
Tel Helpline: 0808 808 1000
Brain & Spine Foundation Website

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