When the clot lodges in a brain artery, blocking blood flow, an embolic stroke occurs. Another type of ischemic stroke is a lacunar stroke . It occurs when the smallest vessels deep within the brain become blocked or function improperly. This type is usually less severe than others. Hemorrhagic Stroke A hemorrhagic stroke stroke occurs when an artery in the brain leaks or ruptures.
Blood puts pressure on the surrounding brain tissue, causing damage.
Brain cells beyond the rupture also are deprived of blood and damaged. The most common cause of a hemorrhagic stroke is high blood pressure. The constant force of high blood pressure can weaken blood vessel walls, resulting in a brain hemorrhage. Another cause of a hemorrhagic stroke is leakage from an aneurysm . An aneurysm is a weak spot in an artery wall that becomes thin and stretched.