Which stroke is the most common form?

• A. Transient ischemic attack
• B. Ischaemic stroke
• C. Haemorrhagic stroke
• D. Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis

Answer: (B)

The most common form occurs when a brain artery becomes blocked, cutting off blood flow to a region of the brain. This is ischaemic stroke, which accounts for the majority of strokes—usually around 80–85%. It happens due to a clot or plaque narrowing or blocking a cerebral artery. By contrast, a transient ischemic attack is caused by a temporary reduction in blood flow that resolves quickly and leaves no lasting brain damage, so it isn’t classified as a stroke. Haemorrhagic stroke results from a ruptured vessel causing bleeding into brain tissue and is less common. Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis is rare and involves clots in the brain’s venous drainage. So, the form most commonly encountered is ischaemic stroke.