A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. A thrombotic stroke is a blood clot that forms inside an artery that supplies blood to the brain. The clot blocks blood flow to a part of the brain. This causes brain cells in that area to stop functioning and die quickly.
The blood clot that triggers a thrombotic stroke usually forms inside an artery that already has been narrowed by atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a term used to describe the hardening and thickening of the large arteries in the body. A harmful build-up of fatty deposits, or patches called ‘atheroma’ develop on the inside walls of the arteries.
If an artery in the brain or one that goes to the brain is blocked for a short time, blood flow slows down or stops. This can cause a transient ischemic attack, sometimes called a mini-stroke.
This type of stroke is usually seen in older persons, especially those with high cholesterol and atherosclerosis or diabetes.
Symptoms of a thrombotic stroke can occur suddenly and often during sleep or in the early morning. At other times, it may occur gradually over a period of hours or even days.
Thrombotic strokes
