Major cause of stroke is when the flow of blood to an area of the brain is blocked, which can cause the death of brain cells and brain tissue. Blood carries oxygen and other nutrients that the brain depends on, so when the blood flow stops, certain parts of the brain aren’t getting the nutrients and oxygen they need; thus, they die. As a result, certain functions of the body that are controlled by those particular nerve cells may lose their ability to perform. In many cases, stroke causes death.
There are two main types of stroke, ischemic and hemorrhagic. Each kind is caused differently. The main type of stroke is ischemic. Hemorrhagic stroke is less common than ischemic stroke, but it has a higher risk of death.
Ischemic Stroke
An ischemic stroke is caused when an artery supplying blood to the brain is blocked, which results in less blood flowing to the brain. Ischemic strokes are much more common, as approximately 80 percent of all strokes are ischemic. There are several different of types of ischemic strokes, including embolic infarct, thrombotic infarct, and lacunar infarct. There are also types of ischemic stroke that happen due to undetermined causes. These types of undetermined ischemic strokes make up a whopping 30 percent of cases of ischemic stroke.
Hemorrhagic Stroke
A hemorrhagic stroke is caused when blood vessels in the brain rupture and begin to bleed into the surrounding tissue. This bleeding compresses other blood vessels that are nearby and causes the surrounding tissue to not get oxygen. This type of stroke usually affects a big area of the brain and is much more severe than ischemic stroke. The chance of death after a hemorrhagic stroke is high. There are certain kinds of hemorrhagic strokes, including intracranial hemorrhages, subarachnoid hemorrhage, epidural hematoma, subdural hematoma, and intracerebral hemorrhage.
There are different factors in your life that can become major causes of stroke. Some factors that increase the risk of stroke are determined by genetics. There are other factors that are just a part of natural processes, of life. And there are other factors that result from a person’s lifestyle. Out of all of these factors, the only ones that can be changed are the environmental factors, due to a person’s lifestyle. With the help of a doctor or other trained professional, these factors, can be modified. There are five main risk factors that are uncontrollable and two controllable risk factors.
Uncontrollable Risk Factors
You can’t change any of these factors in your life.
Age
The older you are, there is a greater chance that you will have a stroke. This chance increases as you age. Each decade you are past 55 doubles your risk of stroke. About two-thirds of strokes happen to people over the age of 65.
Gender
Males have a slightly higher chance of having a stroke than females do.
Race
American blacks are more likely to have a stroke than almost any other racial group.
Diabetes
If you have a family history of diabetes, you are more likely to have a stroke.
History of Stroke
If you others in your family have had a stroke, the chances that you will have a stroke is greater.
Controllable Risk Factors
These factors are controllable in your life. Many of these are lifelong habits or serious medical issues that will be difficult to control, but it may possible.
Lifestyle
There are several negative lifestyle habits that affect the likelihood of a stroke, including smoking, excessive drinking, obesity, drug abuse, and physical inactivity.
Treatable Medical Disorders
Certain medical disorders affect the risk of stroke and may be treated to lower that risk. These medical disorders include diabetes, heart attack, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, personal history of stroke, and temporary strokes. Temporary strokes may occur within days or even months before a major stroke, caused by temporary blood blockage to the brain by clots, lasting only a few minutes or a few hours.