Even though stroke is the leading cause of disability in the United States and the third leading cause of death, questions abound. Stroke occurs when blood is prevented from reaching the brain. Thrombotic stroke occurs when fatty deposits build up in an artery and block blood flow to the brain. Embolic stroke occurs when a clot forms in a vessel in another part of the body, but breaks away and flows through the blood stream until it blocks an artery in the brain. Lacuna stroke is caused by a blockage in certain small blood vessels leading to the brain.
Cerebral hemorrhage occurs when an artery in the brain ruptures or breaks apart.
If any of these symptoms appear, call 911 immediately. Warnings known as transient ischemic attacks sometimes happen before an actual stroke. TIAs occur when the blood supply to the brain is cut off for a short time without causing permanent damage. A TIA is sometimes referred to as mini-stroke. First, stroke is an emergency.