COPE Health Scholars Practice Test

What type of stroke is characterized by a blockage of a vessel to the brain?

1. Hemorrhagic stroke

2. Ischemic stroke

3. Transient ischemic attack

4. Cryptogenic stroke

The correct answer is: Ischemic stroke

An ischemic stroke is characterized by the blockage of a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain. This blockage can occur due to a clot that forms either in the brain or travels from another part of the body, such as the heart, to the brain. The lack of blood flow leads to a decrease in oxygen and nutrients to the brain tissue, resulting in cell damage or death. In contrast, a hemorrhagic stroke involves bleeding into or around the brain due to the rupture of a blood vessel, which is a different pathology altogether. A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is often referred to as a "mini-stroke," where symptoms resolve within a short period, usually less than 24 hours, and do not cause permanent damage, though it is caused by a similar mechanism of blockage. Cryptogenic strokes are those where the cause remains unknown despite thorough testing. Therefore, identifying ischemic stroke specifically highlights the critical nature of blockages in cerebral blood vessels as the primary factor leading to such a type of stroke.