What leads to a stroke?

A stroke occurs when there is a disruption in blood flow to the brain, which can lead to the death of brain cells due to a lack of oxygen and nutrients. This condition is primarily caused by blocked arteries — a situation known as ischemic stroke, which is the most common type. When arteries are blocked, often by a blood clot or plaque buildup resulting from high levels of cholesterol, the affected area of the brain does not receive adequate blood supply, causing the brain cells to die. This direct relationship between blocked arteries and brain cell death is fundamental to understanding the mechanism behind strokes.

In contrast, low blood pressure does not typically cause strokes. It may lead to other issues, but it does not directly create the blockages seen in strokes. While high cholesterol levels can contribute to the formation of plaques that block arteries, it is the event of those arteries being blocked, leading to cell death, that is critical for the event of a stroke. The oxidation of hemoglobin is unrelated to strokes, as it pertains more to the process of oxygen transport in the blood rather than the blood flow issues leading to brain damage.