Which type of stroke is caused by a blood vessel rupture?

A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, leading to bleeding either within the brain tissue (intracerebral hemorrhage) or in the surrounding space (subarachnoid hemorrhage). This rupture can be caused by various factors such as hypertension, aneurysms, or arteriovenous malformations.

The condition is critically different from ischemic strokes, which are caused by the blockage of blood flow to the brain, usually due to a clot. Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) are temporary periods of symptoms similar to those of a stroke but do not involve permanent damage and do not result from blood vessel rupture. An atherothrombotic stroke is a specific type of ischemic stroke that results from plaque buildup and blockage in the arteries supplying blood to the brain.

Understanding the mechanism behind each type of stroke is essential for recognition and treatment. Hemorrhagic strokes require different management strategies compared to ischemic ones, emphasizing the importance of accurately identifying the type based on the underlying causes.