Stroke

Sections

Basic Facts

How a Stroke Affects the Brain and Body

Brain cells need a steady supply of blood with oxygen and nutrients to stay alive. When blood stops flowing, brain cells begin to die very quickly. This can cause brain damage.

A stroke can cause disability because dead brain cells can no longer send signals to parts of the body. These signals control movement, feeling, and other functions. The effects depend on which part of the brain is damaged. For example, if cells die in the part of the brain that controls speech, a person may have trouble talking. Some strokes can also cause memory problems.

Common Types of Stroke

About 85 percent of strokes are ischemic (caused by blood clots). Most of the rest are hemorrhagic (caused by a blood vessel that breaks and bleeds).

Ischemic Stroke

Ischemic stroke is the most common type. It happens when a blood vessel gets blocked by a blood clot or by a buildup of fat (called plaque). There are several kinds.

Thrombotic Stroke

Blood clots cause this type of stroke. Clots form along the wall of a blood vessel or from a buildup of fat. The clots then travel to the brain.

Embolic Stroke/Cerebral Embolism

This stroke happens when a clot (called an embolus) forms somewhere else in the body and travels to the brain. It blocks a blood vessel there.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

This is a "mini" stroke that goes away quickly because the clot breaks up. Symptoms may last up to two hours. Because the blockage clears quickly, brain cells usually do not die. Long-term disability is unlikely.

A TIA is often a warning sign of a major stroke in the near future. You need a medical evaluation right away.

Hemorrhagic Stroke

This type of stroke happens when a blood vessel in the brain breaks and bleeds. A hemorrhagic stroke is much less common than an ischemic stroke.

Intracerebral Hemorrhagic Stroke

In this type, blood leaks from a broken vessel into the brain and harms brain cells.

Subarachnoid Hemorrhagic Stroke

This happens when a blood vessel near the surface of the brain breaks. Blood collects between the skull and the surface of the brain. This can cause severe pain and irritate the lining of the brain.

How Common Are Strokes?

Strokes are one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Almost 800,000 people have a stroke each year. There are about 7 million stroke survivors. About 160,000 people die from strokes each year. Stroke rates vary.

  • Older men tend to have more strokes than older women.
  • Up to 30 percent of people who have a stroke die. Older women are more likely to die from strokes than older men.
  • People of color generally have a higher risk of stroke than white Americans.
  • The risk of having a mini-stroke rises with age. Up to 40 percent of people who have a mini-stroke will have a full stroke later in life.
  • Up to 15 percent of strokes are caused by a burst blood vessel. These account for 30 percent of all stroke deaths each year.

 

Last Reviewed and Updated: October 2026 
By: AGS/HiAF Public Education Committee, HealthinAging.org Content Reviewers

Back To Top