Thrombotic strokes are strokes
caused by a blood clot (thrombus) that develops in the arteries supplying blood to
the brain. This type of stroke is usually seen in older people, especially those with
high cholesterol and a buildup of fat and lipids inside the walls of blood vessels
(atherosclerosis) or diabetes.
Sometimes, symptoms of a
thrombotic stroke can occur suddenly. They can happen during sleep or in the early
morning. At other times, it may occur gradually over a period of hours or even
days.
Mini-strokes are also called
transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) One of more of these may happen before a thrombotic
stroke. TIAs may last for a few minutes or up to 24 hours. They are often a warning
sign that a stroke may occur. Symptoms of a TIA are often mild and temporary, but
they are similar to those caused by a stroke.
Another type of stroke that occurs in the small blood vessels in the brain is called a lacunar infarct. The word lacunar comes from the Latin word meaning "hole" or "cavity." Lacunar infarctions are often found in people who have diabetes or high blood pressure.