Embolic stroke

Embolic Stroke is a type of stroke that occurs when a blood clot or other debris forms away from your brain — commonly in your heart — and is swept through your bloodstream to lodge in narrower brain arteries. This type of stroke is referred to as an embolic stroke. For example, this can happen in people with heart disease.

Causes[edit | edit source]

An embolic stroke is caused by a blood clot or plaque debris that develops elsewhere in the body and then travels through the blood vessels to the brain. The clot or debris can get stuck in one of the small blood vessels in the brain, blocking blood flow and causing a stroke. The most common source of such material is the heart, especially in people with atrial fibrillation.

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

The symptoms of an embolic stroke are similar to those of other types of strokes and may include sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body, sudden confusion or trouble speaking, sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, or a sudden severe headache with no known cause.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Treatment for an embolic stroke involves restoring blood flow to the part of the brain that is being deprived of blood. This can be done with drugs that break up or dissolve the blood clot, such as tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). In some cases, a procedure may be done to remove the clot.

Prevention[edit | edit source]

Prevention of embolic stroke involves managing the conditions that could cause a stroke. This includes controlling high blood pressure, treating heart disease, quitting smoking, and managing diabetes.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Embolic stroke Resources
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