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will call you back within one business day. The brain needs a
constant supply of blood to work. During a stroke, blood stops
flowing to part of the brain. The affected area is damaged. Its
functions are harmed or even lost. Most strokes are caused by a
blockage in a blood vessel that supplies the brain. They can
also occur if a blood vessel in the brain ruptures (breaks
open). The heart is a pump. It sends oxygen-rich blood out
through blood vessels called arteries. If an artery between the
heart and the brain is blocked, the brain can’t get enough
oxygen. Some artery blockages are caused by plaque (fatty
deposits). Arteries can also be blocked by blood clots. Some
clots form on the plaque. Others can form in the
heart—especially in people with atrial fibrillation (irregular
heart rhythm). If a piece of plaque or clot breaks off and
enters the bloodstream, it can flow to the brain and cause a
stroke. Ischemic stroke occurs when an artery that suppl