What Causes A Stroke (Firefox Direct)

A clot forms elsewhere in the body—often in the heart due to an irregular rhythm like Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) —and travels through the bloodstream. It eventually reaches a vessel in the brain that is too narrow for it to pass through, causing an immediate blockage. The Break: Hemorrhagic Stroke

A stroke occurs when a weakened blood vessel in the brain actually bursts, spilling blood into the surrounding brain tissue. This is often more severe because it causes dual damage: the brain cells beyond the leak are starved of oxygen, while the escaped blood creates intense pressure and swelling inside the skull. Stroke - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

Over many years, fatty deposits called plaque (made of cholesterol and calcium) build up on the inner walls of the arteries. This narrows the "pipes" until a blood clot forms at the site, completely sealing off the vessel.

In the complex network of the human body, the brain is the command center, requiring a constant flow of oxygen and nutrients to function. A stroke is essentially a "brain attack" that happens when this vital supply line is suddenly severed or compromised. To understand why this happens, we can look at the two primary ways these biological pipelines fail. The Blockage: Ischemic Stroke