There are a few different types of strokes: ischemic, hemorrhagic, cryptogenic, TIA (or transient ischemic attack), and brain stem. Most strokes are caused by a blood clot, or ischemic stroke. A TIA, or transient ischemic attack, is also known as a “mini stroke.” This type of stroke is caused by a clot that breaks up on its own. Strokes where a blood vessel breaks in the brain and causes a bleed are called hemorrhagic. If a doctor doesn’t know what caused a stroke, it is called cryptogenic.