Ever wondered, what exactly happens, when someone has a stroke? It’s a sudden, serious event, affecting your brain.
Most strokes, about 87%, are “ischemic strokes.” Think of it, like a clogged pipe. A blood clot, often formed because of fatty deposits, called plaque, in your arteries, blocks blood flow, to part of your brain.
Without oxygen and nutrients, delivered by that blood, brain cells, in the affected area, start to die, within minutes.
The other type, less common but often more severe, is a “hemorrhagic stroke.” This happens, when a blood vessel in the brain, bursts, or leaks, causing bleeding, into the brain tissue.
This bleeding, damages brain cells directly, and also, creates pressure, on the brain, causing further harm.
But why do these blockages, or bleeds, happen? Common culprits include, uncontrolled high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, obesity, and even, a family history of strokes.
The good news is, many of these, are preventable! By managing your blood pressure, eating healthy, staying active, and avoiding smoking, you can significantly, reduce your risk. Keep your brain, healthy!