The main difference between ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes lies in their underlying causes and the type of damage they inflict on the brain. Here are the key differences:
Ischemic Stroke:
- Caused by a blockage or clot in a blood vessel leading to the brain, resulting in insufficient oxygen supply to the brain tissue.
- Accounts for 87% of all strokes.
- There are two major types of ischemic stroke: thrombotic strokes (caused by a blood clot forming in an artery leading to the brain) and embolic strokes (caused by a blood clot or plaque debris from elsewhere in the body).
- Symptoms may include muscle weakness, paralysis on one side of the body, trouble speaking, lack of coordination, and visual changes.
Hemorrhagic Stroke:
- Caused by bleeding into the brain tissue due to a ruptured blood vessel in the brain.
- Accounts for 13% of all strokes.
- Can be further divided into two main categories: intracerebral hemorrhage (a weak blood vessel breaks inside the brain) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (a weak blood vessel breaks on the surface of the brain).
- Symptoms may include sudden, severe headache, vomiting, seizure, weakness on one side of the face or body, and/or rapid deterioration in neurological function or consciousness.
Both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes are medical emergencies that require immediate attention to prevent further brain damage and complications.
Comparative Table: Ischemic vs Hemorrhagic Stroke
Ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes are two main types of strokes that can occur. They have different causes and require different treatments. Here is a table highlighting the differences between the two:
Feature | Ischemic Stroke | Hemorrhagic Stroke |
---|---|---|
Cause | Blood clot or blockage in a blood vessel leading to the brain | Rupture of a blood vessel in the brain |
Type | Thrombotic (blood clot forms in an artery leading to the brain) or embolic (blood clot from another part of the body lodges in a blood vessel in the brain) | Intracerebral hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain tissue) or subarachnoid hemorrhage (bleeding on the surface of the brain) |
Symptoms | Muscle weakness, paralysis on one side of the body, trouble speaking, lack of coordination, and visual changes | Similar to ischemic stroke symptoms, but may also include sudden, severe headache, vomiting, seizures, and rapid deterioration in neurological function or consciousness |
Treatment | Thrombolytic drugs to dissolve the clot, blood thinners, or surgery | Surgical intervention or endovascular treatment, depending on the cause and location of the bleeding |
Both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes are medical emergencies that require immediate attention. The sooner treatment is started, the higher the chance of a positive outcome.
Read more
- Ischemic vs Hemorrhagic Stroke
- Hemorrhagic Stroke vs Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
- Brain Hemorrhage vs Stroke
- Hemorrhagic Stroke vs Aneurysm
- Ischemia vs Infarction
- Intracerebral Hemorrhage vs Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
- Aneurysm vs Hemorrhage
- Stroke vs Aneurysm
- Heart attack vs Stroke
- TIA vs Stroke
- CVA vs Stroke
- Subdural vs Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
- Ischemic Heart Disease vs Myocardial Infarction
- Hypoxia vs Ischemia
- Hemorrhage vs Hematoma
- Ischemic Colitis vs Mesenteric Ischemia
- Seizure vs Stroke
- Thrombosis vs Embolism
- Hematoma vs Hemangioma
- Aneurysm vs Blood Clot