Are ischemic strokes more common than other strokes?

Ischemic strokes are the most common type of stroke, accounting for 83 percent of all strokes, according to Everyday Health. Normally, an ischemic stroke is caused by a blood clot that is formed from cholesterol and fats. When oxygen cannot reach areas of the brain, a stroke occurs.

There are two kinds of ischemic strokes, notes Everyday Health. A thrombotic stroke occurs when a clot forms in a blood vessel in the brain. An embolic stroke occurs when a blood clot forms somewhere else in the body. The clot then travels to the brain and becomes lodged in a narrow blood vessel, which results in a blockage.