


The leaked blood causes the brain to swell, putting pressure on it that can damage brain cells. This can happen when an artery in or on top of the brain breaks open. Sudden bleeding can cause a hemorrhagic stroke. The pressure of the blood causes brain tissue death. An aneurysm in a cerebral artery breaks open, which causes bleeding in the brain. Hemorrhagic stroke The illustration shows how a hemorrhagic stroke can occur in the brain. Eventually, it can progress to a full stroke. It typically lasts less than an hour but can come and go. But the blockage breaks up before there is any damage to your brain. In addition, ischemic stroke can lead to inflammation that further damages brain cells.Ī transient ischemic attack (TIA) is caused by a blockage in the brain just like an ischemic stroke. We know that inflammation can damage the blood vessels and contribute to atherosclerosis, however. Researchers are still trying to understand this fully. Certain heart and blood conditions, such as atrial fibrillation and sickle cell disease, can cause blood clots that lead to stroke.Ĭhronic (long-term) inflammation contributes to ischemic stroke. This type of ischemic stroke is called an embolic stroke. These clots can partly or fully block an artery.Ī blood clot that forms in one part of the body can also break loose and travel to the brain. Blood platelets stick to the site of the plaque injury and clump together to form blood clots.


Carotid artery disease is when plaque builds up in the carotid arteries in the neck that supply blood to the brain. Plaque can build up in any artery in the body, including arteries in the brain and neck. Plaque hardens and narrows the arteries, which limits blood flow to tissues and organs. When plaque builds up on the inner walls of the arteries, it can lead to a disease called atherosclerosis. The clot can block blood flow to part of the brain, causing brain tissue death. If a blood clot breaks away from plaque buildup in a carotid artery in the neck, it can travel to an artery in the brain. The illustration shows how an ischemic stroke can occur in the brain. Ischemic strokes are usually caused by a piece of plaque or a blood clot that blocks blood flow to the brain.
