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Ischemic stroke is the most common type of stroke, accounting for approximately 87% of all strokes. This type of stroke occurs when a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain is obstructed, often due to a blood clot or plaque buildup in the arteries. The interruption of blood flow deprives brain cells of necessary oxygen and nutrients, leading to cell death and potentially resulting in varying degrees of neurological impairment.

In contrast, hemorrhagic strokes, which result from the rupture of a blood vessel in the brain, though they are a significant cause of stroke, represent a smaller percentage of the total cases. Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) are sometimes referred to as "mini-strokes" and involve temporary disruptions in blood flow to the brain, but they are not classified as full strokes. Lastly, subarachnoid hemorrhage is a specific type of hemorrhagic stroke that occurs in the space between the brain and the tissue covering it, further limiting its classification as the most common type.