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There are two types of stroke, which are classified according to the cause of the decrease in blood flow to a certain region of the brain:
- Ischemic stroke: which occurs when a clot clogs a cerebral vessel, interrupting blood circulation;
- Hemorrhagic stroke: what happens when a vessel in the brain ruptures, decreasing the amount of blood that passes through that vessel.
Although they happen differently, both types of strokes cause similar symptoms such as loss of strength or sensitivity in a region of the body, difficulty in speaking, dizziness and blurred vision. Thus, the type of stroke cannot be identified through the symptoms, being usually confirmed only in the hospital, through an MRI or computed tomography.
In any case, stroke is always a medical emergency situation that must be identified as soon as possible and treated in the hospital, since the most important factor in this type of situation is the time that elapses from the appearance of the first symptoms until the patient is stabilized. A good way to identify a stroke is by taking the SAMU test - see how to take the SAMU test and when to call for medical help.
The main differences between ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes are explained below:
1. Ischemic stroke
Ischemic stroke happens when there is a fatty plaque in one of the brain vessels or when a clot, which has formed elsewhere in the body, can reach the vessels in the brain, causing a blockage that prevents blood from reaching some region of the brain. brain.
In addition, other main differences in relation to hemorrhagic stroke are the causes and the form of treatment:
- Main causes: high cholesterol, atherosclerosis, atrial fibrillation, sickle cell anemia, coagulation diseases and changes in cardiac functioning.
- How the treatment is done: it is usually done with medicines, administered directly into the vein, which dilute the clot, but it can also include surgery to remove the clot, in case the medicines do not work. See in more detail how stroke treatment is performed.
In addition, it is common for ischemic stroke to have a better prognosis than hemorrhagic stroke, as it is usually easier to treat, which shortens the time from the first symptoms to the patient is stabilized, also reducing the risk of sequelae. .
In some cases, transient ischemic stroke can also occur, in which the symptoms last, for the most part, about 1 hour, and then disappear without leaving sequelae. This type can also be known with pre-stroke, so it is important to go to the emergency room to make an assessment and start appropriate treatment in order to prevent it from progressing to a stroke.
2. Hemorrhagic stroke
Unlike ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke does not happen by blocking a cerebral vessel, but by rupturing a vessel, which means that the blood cannot continue to pass to some region of the brain. In addition, in hemorrhagic stroke there is also an accumulation of blood inside or around the brain, which increases brain pressure, further aggravating symptoms.
In this type of stroke, the most common causes and the form of treatment are:
- Main causes: high blood pressure, excessive use of anticoagulants, aneurysm and strong blows to the head, for example.
- How the treatment is done: It usually starts with the administration of drugs to reduce blood pressure, but in many cases it may be necessary to have surgery to correct the lesion in the vessels of the brain. Learn more about how stroke is treated.
Usually, hemorrhagic stroke has a worse prognosis than ischemic stroke, as it can be more difficult to control bleeding.