What is the most common type of stroke?

Ischemic stroke is the most common type of stroke, accounting for approximately 87% of all stroke cases. This type occurs when there is a blockage in an artery that supplies blood to the brain, typically due to a blood clot. Such clots can form in the arteries due to atherosclerosis or can be caused by a condition known as cardiac embolism, where clots travel from the heart to the brain.

This understanding is crucial as immediate medical interventions, such as thrombolytic therapy, can significantly improve outcomes if administered shortly after the onset of symptoms. Recognizing ischemic strokes is vital in guiding timely and effective treatment, which can reduce the risk of long-term disability or death.

While hemorrhagic strokes can be serious, they occur less frequently compared to ischemic strokes. Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) are short-lived events that do not cause permanent damage but are significant warning signs for future strokes. Cryptogenic strokes are those with no identified cause after thorough investigation, which can be a subset of ischemic strokes. However, their more specific nature does not negate the pre-eminence of ischemic strokes in the broader category of stroke types.