- 1. ISCHEMIC STROKE: the blood flow that supplies brain tissue decreases or is interrupted. It may have several causes:
- Thrombosis: blood clots that form inside the walls of the vessels end up blocking them.
- Embolism: a clot, air bubble, fat globule or any other collection of material blocks a vessel after traveling through the bloodstream.
- Arteriosclerosis: hardening of the arteries.
- Vasculitis: inflammation of the blood vessels.
- 2. HEMORRHAGIC STROKE: a blood vessel ruptures, causing blood to leak into areas of the brain where it should not be.
Risk factors for stroke include age, family medical history, ethnic background and sex. But there are other factors that increase the risk of having a stroke. These include:
- Health-related factors: high blood pressure, heart disease and high blood fats
- Use of toxic substances such as alcohol or tobacco.
- Arteriosclerosis: hardening of the arteries.
- Unhealthy lifestyle habits such as a sedentary lifestyle.
Strokes usually happen suddenly and cause brain damage within a few minutes, although, less frequently, patients may get worse over hours or even days.
As prevention, the Spanish Society of Neurology recommends a series of healthy habits such as eating a rich, healthy diet, exercising regularly and moderately, not smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation and checking blood pressure regularly.