What are the two main types of strokes?

The two main types of strokes are ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic strokes occur when a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain is obstructed, often due to a clot. This blockage reduces blood flow, leading to brain cell death. On the other hand, hemorrhagic strokes happen when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, causing bleeding (hemorrhage) in or around the brain. This type of stroke can lead to increased pressure in the skull and damage to brain tissue.

Understanding this classification is crucial because the treatment and management strategies differ significantly between ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. For instance, ischemic strokes are often treated with clot-dissolving medications or procedures to restore blood flow, while hemorrhagic strokes may require surgical intervention to relieve pressure or repair the damaged vessel.

The other options listed do not represent the primary classifications of strokes. Thrombotic and lacunar strokes are specific types of ischemic strokes. Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) are temporary episodes of neurological dysfunction that resolve without permanent damage and are not classified as strokes themselves. Subarachnoid hemorrhage is a type of hemorrhagic stroke, but it is just one form of hemorrhagic stroke, not