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Ischemic stroke
Make it clearer
An ischemic stroke is what happens when blood flow to an area of the brain is blocked. The word ischemic points to exactly that: circulation to that spot has been lost. The brain tissue that was fed by that flow no longer gets enough oxygen and can be injured.
That's why it matters exactly where the blockage sits: the point where flow is cut off is what decides which region of the brain goes unsupplied, the way closing off a street strands the people on that stretch and not the ones somewhere else. And it has to be kept separate from a hemorrhagic stroke, because the mechanism isn't the same: an ischemic stroke starts with something blocking the way, a hemorrhagic one starts with bleeding.
In brief
An ischemic stroke happens when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked. The word "ischemic" refers specifically to that loss of circulation.
The brain tissue that relied on that blood flow no longer gets enough oxygen and can be damaged. That is why the location of the blockage determines which region of the brain is affected.
Ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes do not work the same way: the first begins with a blockage, while the second begins with bleeding.
Sources (1)
- Centers for Disease Control and PreventionAbout StrokePublished
This page explains the topic in general terms; it does not tell anyone what treatment to follow.
Updated