What type of stroke is caused by an obstruction due to a blood clot in the brain?

The correct answer is an ischemic stroke, which occurs when there is an obstruction in the blood vessels supplying blood to the brain, often due to a blood clot. This obstruction prevents blood from reaching portions of the brain, leading to cell death and the potential for long-term neurological deficits.

An embolic stroke is a specific type of ischemic stroke that occurs when a blood clot formed elsewhere in the body travels through the bloodstream and lodges in a brain artery. While embolic strokes are indeed caused by a blood clot, they are categorized under the broader classification of ischemic strokes.

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) involves temporary interruption of blood flow to the brain, leading to short-lived neurological symptoms that resolve within 24 hours. It does not cause permanent damage and is not classified as a stroke.

A hemorrhagic stroke results from the rupture of a blood vessel in the brain, leading to bleeding in or around the brain tissue—this is distinctly different from any obstruction caused by a clot.

Understanding these distinctions helps clarify why "ischemic stroke" is the most accurate classification for a blockage caused by a blood clot in the brain.