Embolic Stroke

An embolic stroke is a type of stroke that is caused by the interrupted or blocked blood supply to a part of the brain. This interruption can be caused by a piece of tissue (most commonly a blood clot) or other material that travels through the bloodstream and gets lodged in a blood vessel in the brain. Emboli are formed in other parts of the body, such as the heart, and travel to the brain, where they cause a stroke. Symptoms of embolic stroke include sudden loss of vision or speech, drooping of the face on one side, weakness of limbs on one side, dizziness, confusion, and headaches. Treatment is focused on restoring blood flow to the affected area of the brain. Emergency medical attention should be sought as soon as possible. The most common cause of embolic strokes is a blood clot that forms in the arteries that supply blood to the brain (such as the carotid artery or middle cerebral artery). Clots can form from a variety of conditions and situations such as abnormal blood cells, fat or cholesterol particles, air bubbles, pieces of tissue, or devices such as foreign objects implanted during surgery. In some cases, these clots can form in other parts of the body, most commonly the heart, and travel to the brain vessels. This is known as an embolus. Emboli are more common in people who have certain heart conditions such as atrial fibrillation, which is an abnormality in the heart’s rhythm. Other risk factors for embolic strokes include high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, and older age. Maintaining good heart health and controlling other risk factors is an important step in preventing embolic stroke. It’s also important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of a stroke to seek medical care as soon as possible if one should develop.