What is the most common type of stroke?

Ischemic stroke is indeed the most common type of stroke, accounting for approximately 87% of all stroke cases. This type of stroke occurs when a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain is obstructed, most often due to a blood clot. This blockage can be caused by atherosclerosis, where fatty deposits build up in the arteries, or by embolism, where a clot forms elsewhere in the body and travels to the brain.

Recognizing ischemic stroke is crucial for timely treatment, as interventions like clot-busting medications can significantly improve outcomes if administered shortly after the onset of symptoms.

In comparison, hemorrhagic stroke, while serious, occurs less frequently and involves bleeding in or around the brain, resulting from weakened blood vessels or high blood pressure. A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is often referred to as a "mini-stroke" and can signal an impending stroke but is not classified as a full stroke itself. Cryptogenic strokes are strokes with no determined cause after thorough investigation, but these also do not occur as frequently as ischemic strokes. Therefore, when considering prevalence, ischemic stroke stands out as the correct answer.