Which statement is true about strokes?

• A. The majority are hemorrhagic
• B. The majority are ischemic
• C. TIAs cause more damage
• D. Stroke is unrelated to blood flow

Answer: (B)

Strokes happen when blood flow to a part of the brain is disrupted, depriving brain cells of oxygen and nutrients needed to function. The most common type is ischemic, caused by a clot or narrowed vessel that blocks blood flow. Ischemic strokes make up about four-fifths of all strokes, so this statement is the true one. Hemorrhagic strokes come from a ruptured vessel with bleeding into brain tissue and are less common but often more dramatic in presentation. TIAs are brief episodes of neurologic symptoms from transient reductions in blood flow and usually don’t cause lasting damage, though they’re important warnings. Stroke is fundamentally related to blood flow, so saying it’s unrelated to blood flow isn’t accurate.