Ischaemic stroke

Most strokes happen because of a blockage in an artery leading to the brain, called an ischaemic stroke. This factsheet explains how ischaemic strokes happen, the risk factors for them and the treatments available including thrombolysis, a clot-busting treatment for some types of ischaemic stroke. We have also included a glossary of medical terms.

Published June 2011, updated April 2012. Next revision due September 2013.