Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks or narrows an artery leading to the brain, causing reduced blood flow and oxygen to a part of the brain. This blockage can result in damage or death of brain cells.
Related terms
Thrombosis: The formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel, which can lead to ischemic stroke if it occurs in the brain.
Embolism: A blockage in an artery caused by a clot that has traveled from another part of the body, also a common cause of ischemic stroke.
Cerebral infarction: The death of brain tissue due to ischemia, often resulting from an ischemic stroke