Cancer can increase the risk of stroke through several mechanisms. Hypercoagulability is a common condition in cancer patients, where the blood is more prone to clotting. This can lead to ischemic strokes, where a blood clot blocks a blood vessel in the brain. Additionally, certain cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation can damage blood vessels or increase clotting risk. Tumors themselves can directly invade and compress blood vessels, leading to compromised blood flow and potential stroke.
