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Stroke
The most
common type of
stroke happens when a blood clot or thrombus
blocks the blood flow to parts of the brain.
A thrombus
may form in an artery affected by atherosclerosis (the buildup
of plaque in the inner wall of an artery). Plaque is made of
fat, cholesterol, fibrin (a clotting material), and calcium.
As plaque builds up in the arteries, blood flows slower and
less smoothly, this may lead to clotting. A vessel narrowed by
atherosclerosis is more likely to be blocked by a blood clot,
stopping the blood flow. Thrombotic strokes usually happen at
night or in the early morning. A transient ischemic attack (TIA),
or "mini stroke," usually happens before a thrombotic stroke.
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