Embolic stroke

Embolic Stroke

Embolic stroke (pronunciation: em-bol-ic strohk) is a type of stroke that occurs when a blood clot or other debris forms away from your brain — commonly in your heart — and is swept through your bloodstream to lodge in narrower brain arteries. This type of stroke is referred to as an embolic stroke.

Etymology

The term "embolic" is derived from the Greek word "embolus" (meaning stopper or plug) and the word "stroke" comes from the Old English "strac", meaning a blow or strike.

Causes

Embolic strokes are often caused by heart disease or arrhythmia, particularly atrial fibrillation. Other potential causes include endocarditis or the presence of a patent foramen ovale (PFO).

Symptoms

Symptoms of an embolic stroke are similar to those of other types of strokes and may include sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body, sudden confusion or trouble speaking, sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, or sudden severe headache with no known cause.

Treatment

Treatment for embolic stroke typically involves medications to prevent further clots from forming, such as anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs. In some cases, a procedure may be performed to remove the clot or to repair a heart defect that led to the stroke.

Related Terms

• Ischemic stroke
• Thrombotic stroke
• Hemorrhagic stroke
• Transient ischemic attack (TIA)

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Embolic stroke
• Wikipedia's article - Embolic stroke

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