Arterial Blockage
Stroke (referred to as السكتة الدماغيّة in Arabic) can arise from various causes, with the majority being attributed to ischemic stroke (السكتة الدماغية الإقفارية). This type of stroke occurs when the arteries supplying blood to the brain become narrowed or blocked, leading to a decrease in cerebral blood flow. Several factors contribute to ischemic strokes, including the following:
- Thrombotic Stroke: This occurs when a blood clot forms in one of the arteries that supply blood to the brain due to the accumulation of fatty deposits, which results in reduced blood flow to the brain.
- Embolic Stroke: Unlike thrombotic strokes, embolic strokes are characterized by clots that form elsewhere in the body and travel through the bloodstream to obstruct the narrower arteries supplying the brain.
Arterial Rupture
The rupture of arteries in the brain or bleeding from them leads to what is known as hemorrhagic stroke (السكتة الدماغية النزفية). This condition can be triggered by severe hypertension, excessive doses of anticoagulant medications, or bulging blood vessels known as aneurysms (أم الدم). Hemorrhagic strokes can be classified into two main types:
- Cerebral Hemorrhage: This type of bleeding occurs within the brain itself, affecting adjacent brain tissues.
- Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: This bleeding occurs underneath the surface of the brain, typically resulting in sudden and severe headaches, nausea, and vomiting.
Additional Causes
Various other factors can also lead to strokes, including:
- Vasculitis: This inflammation of blood vessels can reduce blood flow to the brain and is considered a rare cause.
- Migraine Headaches: In rare cases, migraine-induced narrowing of the arteries can potentially trigger a stroke.
- Atrial Fibrillation: A common condition that leads to the formation of blood clots.
Risk Factors
Risk factors significantly increase the likelihood of experiencing a stroke, especially as individuals age, given that arterial narrowing is a natural process. Some prominent risk factors include:
- Cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension.
- Obesity.
- Elevated cholesterol levels.
- Lack of physical activity.
- Stress and psychological pressure.