Causes of stroke based on the type and risk factors

Stroke is a health condition that is classified as serious and requires special, fast and precise handling. The causes of stroke can vary, depending on the type. In this article, we will discuss the various causes of stroke based on their type. Check out the full explanation below, yes.

The cause of stroke is based on its type

Stroke, mainly, is divided into three types, namely hemorrhagic stroke, ischemic stroke, and mild stroke or it can also be referred to as transient ischemic stroke (TIA). These three types of strokes occur due to different conditions.

1. Ischemic stroke

Ischemic stroke, also known as blockage stroke, is the most common type and is widely experienced. This condition occurs when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain.

These blood clots usually form in an artery that has narrowed or is blocked by the presence of plaque. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. The arteries may become narrowed with age.

Even so, this process can be accelerated by certain habits, lifestyle, or health conditions, such as:

• High blood pressure (hypertension).
• Obesity.
• High cholesterol levels.
• Diabetes.
• Smoking habits.
• Too much alcohol consumption.

However, there are also conditions that may also be the cause of this one stroke, namely an abnormal heartbeat or what can be referred to as atrial fibrillation . This condition can cause blood that has clotted in the heart to spread and block the ducts that are supposed to supply blood to the brain.

On the other hand, this condition can also be experienced by pregnant women. In fact, the likelihood of a pregnant woman having an ischemic stroke is 13 times higher than that of ordinary women.

2. Hemorrhagic stroke

When compared to ischemic strokes, this type of stroke is classified as less common. The cause of a hemorrhagic stroke is generally a rupture of the blood vessels in the skull, causing bleeding to the brain.

The main cause of hemorrhagic stroke is high blood pressure which can weaken the arteries located in the brain and make them more prone to rupture.

This stroke usually occurs when a blood vessel in the brain leaks or bursts. Conditions that can trigger this to occur include:

• Uncontrolled blood vessels.
• Too much blood thinning medication.
• Aneurysm.
• Trauma.
• Blood vessel walls lack protein so they experience weakness.
• Ischemic stroke that triggers a hemorrhagic stroke.

Another rare condition that may cause bleeding within the brain is the rupture of a blood vessel wall that is too thin, referred to as arteriovenous malformation .

3.Light stroke (transient ischemic attack)

Transient ischemic attack (TIA) or often called a mild stroke is slightly different than other types of stroke. The cause of a TIA is blocked blood flow to the brain but only for a short time, usually no more than five minutes.

Even so, there are a number of things you need to know if you have a mild stroke, namely:

• A light stroke is one warning that you may have a stroke at a later date.
• Even though it is called a mild stroke, a TIA is an emergency, just like any other type of stroke.
• Stroke symptoms are generally the same, so you may not be able to tell the difference between ischemic, hemorrhagic, or mild strokes.
• As with blockage strokes, blood clots can also cause TIA.

Recognizing and coping with a stroke more quickly can help reduce your risk of having an even more severe type of stroke. If you have a TIA, your doctor will help prevent other strokes.

4. Eye stroke

Although not including the three main types of stroke, this condition cannot be underestimated. The cause of eye stroke is poor circulation in the blood vessels. This then causes pressure on the nerves of the eye.

Although an eye stroke can cause a complete blockage of the blood vessels leading to the eye nerves, this condition can also be caused by a lack of pressure on the eye tissue. High blood pressure may change the pressure in the eye and reduce blood flow to the eye.

If the nutrients in the eye nerves and oxygen supply are reduced, the nerve tissue can be damaged which can lead to blindness.

Risk factors for stroke

There are several risk factors that you need to know about the potential for having a stroke. You may have the following factors:

1. Lifestyle factors

There are several lifestyles that need to be avoided so that the risk of having a stroke does not increase, including:

Obesity

The habit of eating too much and rarely exercising can increase your potential for obesity. In fact, obesity is a risk factor for various health conditions, one of which is stroke. If you don't want to experience this condition, try to eat less unhealthy food and get more exercise.

Being lazy

Lazing around on the weekends can increase your risk of having a stroke. The reason is, this habit usually makes you eat more and lazy to move. If so, your potential for obesity increases.

Smoking habit

Not everyone understands the dangers of smoking. In fact, the cigarette pack has written down what are the possible dangers of this unhealthy habit. Yes, smoking can also increase your potential for a stroke. This is because, when smoking, blood vessels will burst and blood pressure will increase.

2. Certain medical conditions

Apart from the causes of stroke, there are also medical conditions that increase your risk of experiencing it. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, here are some of these medical conditions:

High blood pressure

High blood pressure can be considered a major risk factor for stroke. This condition occurs when the blood pressure in the arteries and other blood vessels is too high.

Usually, this condition does not show any symptoms. Therefore, it is important to always check your blood pressure in order to control it.

If you have high blood pressure, you can lower it with lifestyle changes or the use of high blood pressure medications, which can lower blood pressure. Use of this drug can also lower your risk of having a stroke.

High cholesterol

As with high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels can also be a contributing factor to stroke. Cholesterol is a fatty substance that is produced naturally by the liver or is found in certain foods.

Usually, the liver will produce cholesterol according to the body's needs. However, you may have high cholesterol levels from eating foods that also have cholesterol content.

If you consume more cholesterol than the body's capacity or needs, the excess cholesterol can accumulate in the arteries, including those in the brain. This condition can cause narrowing of blood vessels, stroke, and various other health problems.

Heart disease

Heart disease can usually increase your risk of having a stroke. For example, coronary heart disease can increase this risk because plaque buildup in the arteries blocks the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the brain.

Other heart diseases, such as heart valve problems and abnormal heartbeats can cause blood clots that may burst and cause a stroke.

Diabetes

High blood sugar or diabetes can also increase your risk of having a stroke. Basically, your body certainly needs sugar for energy. In the body, there is the insulin hormone produced by the pancreas to help convert glucose from the food you eat into body cells.

If you have high blood sugar or diabetes, this is a sign that your body may not produce insulin as needed. Diabetes can cause sugar to build up in the blood and prevent oxygen and nutrients from spreading throughout the body, including to the brain.

3. Increasing age, certain gender and other factors

In addition, there are other factors that can increase your risk of having a stroke, such as:

• Age, usually people aged 55 years and over have a greater risk.
• Gender, where men have a higher risk than women.
• Hormones, hormone birth control pills users or who are on hormone therapy have a greater risk.

Therefore, it is better to always be aware of the conditions you are facing. Get a diagnosis for stroke if you experience various symptoms that lead to the disease. Also learn how to do first aid for stroke sufferers so that you can help those around you if someone has a sudden stroke.

If you experience this condition, consult a doctor immediately to get treatment for a stroke and avoid more severe stroke complications.