What is the main cause of ischemic stroke?

The main cause of ischemic stroke is thrombosis or embolism in a cerebral artery, which relates directly to the blockage of blood flow to the brain. In an ischemic stroke, an obstruction—often a blood clot or a piece of plaque—forms either directly within an artery supplying blood to the brain (thrombosis) or travels from another part of the body and lodges in a cerebral artery (embolism). This disruption in blood flow leads to brain tissue deprivation of oxygen and nutrients, resulting in cell death and potentially serious neurological damage.

Understanding the mechanisms behind ischemic stroke is essential for prevention and treatment. For instance, recognizing risk factors such as high cholesterol or atrial fibrillation can help in mitigating the chances of clot formation leading to a stroke. Managing these conditions through lifestyle changes or medication aims to lower the risk of embolisms or thrombosis occurring in the cerebral arteries.

In contrast, hypertension, while a significant risk factor for stroke overall, primarily contributes to both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes through various mechanisms, not directly as the sole cause of ischemic strokes. An aneurysm is more commonly associated with hemorrhagic strokes, where a weakened blood vessel bursts. Cardiomyopathy can contribute to an embolic stroke if it