Head CT > Stroke > Stroke Subtypes

Stroke Subtypes

Strokes are classified into two major types - hemorrhagic and ischemic. Hemorrhagic strokes are due to rupture of a cerebral blood vessel that causes bleeding into or around the brain. Hemorrhagic strokes account for 16% of all strokes. An ischemic stroke is caused by blockage of blood flow in a major cerebral blood vessel, usually due to a blood clot. Ischemic strokes account for about 84% of all strokes. Ischemic strokes are further subdivided based on their etiology into several different categories including thrombotic strokes, embolic strokes, lacunar strokes and hypoperfusion infarctions.