Introduction to Stroke
About 700,000 strokes occur in the United States each year.
Having a stroke can also injure the brain. There are two major categories of stroke: ischemic and hemorrhagic. Strokes caused by blood clots are sometimes called "ischemic" strokes. The blood clot "clogs" the blood vessel so it becomes very narrow or completely blocks blood flow to the brain. They are the most common type and account for 70 to 80 percent of all strokes.
Strokes caused by blood vessel rupture are referred to as "hemorrhagic." This means that there is bleeding in or near the brain. Aneurysms and AVMs (arteriovenousmalformations) are also types of conditions that cause bleeding in the brain. Hemorrhages account for about 15 to 20 percent of all strokes.
Stroke can affect a person physically and emotionally, and can affect the way a person thinks (cognition) and acts (behavior).
Some of the problems doctors will look for include:
| Cognitive | Behavioral |
|---|---|
| understanding speech | remaining calm |
| memory and thinking | responding correctly in situations |
| perceiving | starting new things |
| judgment | having relationships |
| doing tasks in correct order | controlling impulses |
| Physical | Emotional |
| moving certain body parts | anxiety |
| swallowing | depression |
| speaking | |
| balance and coordination | |
| vision | |
| bowel and bladder control |
