What does Thrombotic stroke means?

Cheerful senior Caucasian woman uses a walker during physical therapy session. A mid adult Asian female physical therapist is helping her walk with the walker.

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 diabetes or high cholesterol and a buildup of fat and lipids inside the walls of blood vessels (atherosclerosis). 

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 ischemic stroke that occurs in the deep penetrating branches of 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.

Details are derived from John Hopkins University website