If you think you or a loved one might be having a stroke, call 911. For more information about Stroke Warning Signs, visit the Stroke Warning Signs page or view or download the F.A.S.T. Stroke Warning Signs PDF.
For information on stroke benchmarks and outcomes, visit the Stroke Outcomes page.
What is a Stroke?
A stroke, sometimes called a brain attack, occurs when a clot blocks the flow of blood to the brain (ischemic stroke) or when a blood vessel in the brain breaks (hemorrhagic stroke). The decrease in blood flow to the brain can result in temporary or permanent brain injury. This is why every minute counts in getting treated for stroke, which is the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States.
Effects of Stroke
Damage from stroke can affect your entire body resulting in mild to severe disabilities including the inability to move your arm, leg or both, and problems with memory, thinking, speaking, swallowing, and emotions. If a stroke occurs and blood flow can't reach the region that controls a particular body function, that part of the body won't function as it should. Your symptoms tell us where the stroke happened in the brain and how much of the brain is involved.
Types of Stroke
There are two types of stroke: ischemic and hemorrhagic.
Ischemic Stroke
Ischemic stroke is the most common type of stroke, accounting for approximately 87% of strokes. It occurs when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood to the brain. If the body cannot clear the blockage, then the area is permanently damaged.
There are 2 types of ischemic strokes:
- Thrombotic strokes: These are caused by a blood clot (also called thrombus) that forms in the blood vessels inside the brain.
- Embolic strokes: These are caused by a wandering blood clot (also called embolus) or plaque debris that forms somewhere else in the body (usually heart or neck) and then travels to one of the blood vessels in the brain through the bloodstream.
Treatment for an ischemic stroke includes:
- tPA, a blood clotting medication
- Endovascular thrombectomy, a procedure that traps and removes the clot
For more information on ischemic stroke treatment, visit our Stroke Treatment page.
Hemorrhagic Stroke
A hemorrhagic stroke is less common than an ischemic stroke. It occurs when a weak blood vessel breaks or ruptures and bleeds into the brain.
There are 2 types of hemorrhagic strokes:
- An intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is caused by a weak blood vessel breaking in the brain.
- A subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is caused by a weak blood vessel breaking on the surface of the brain.
Treatment for a hemorrhagic stroke includes:
- Clipping
- Coiling
- Craniotomy
- Craniectomy
For more information on hemorrhagic stroke treatment, visit our Stroke Treatment page.
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) — also referred to as a "mini-stroke" or "warning stroke" — is a temporary interruption of the blood flow to an area of the brain. A TIA indicates that someone is at risk for having a stroke. Michigan Medicine is very aggressive about lowering the risk of a stroke in patients who have received this warning.
Stroke Treatment
Treatment for a stroke depends on whether it is an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, how long it’s been since your stroke happened and other factors. Your doctor will select the best treatment for you. For more information on stroke treatment, visit our Stroke Treatment page.
Stroke Intervention for High-Risk Patients
We screen patients who are high risk for stroke in the stroke clinic located in the Frankel Cardiovascular Center and discuss preventive measures to decrease their risk for stroke.
The University of Michigan Stroke Program
The U-M Stroke Program is accredited as a Comprehensive Stroke Center by the Joint Commission. We have repeatedly been designated as an American Heart Association Gold Plus stroke hospital, the highest stroke quality designation. We also surpass state and national benchmarks for tPA treatment and treatment time.
Stroke patients at U-M are cared for in a dedicated Stroke Unit and Neuro-Intensive Care Unit (NICU). During the patient’s stay, vascular neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuroscience nurses with advanced training in stroke care, and a medical team containing experts in stroke treatment and complications all work together so patients can have optimal recovery for their individual situation.
For more information about our center, accreditations and awards, visit the About the U-M Comprehensive Stroke Center page.
Next Steps
For Patients: If you think you or a loved one might be having a stroke, call 911. If you have had a stroke in the past or think you might be at risk for one call us at 1-888-287-1082 to make an appointment for a consultation. Visit our Stroke Patient Resources page for more information about stroke, including videos and care guides.
For Physicians: If you are a physician and want to refer a patient, call M-LINE at 800-962-3555.