A stroke, sometimes referred to as a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), cerebrovasc

ular insult (CVI), or colloquially brain attack is the loss of brain function du
e to a disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This disturbance is due to
either ischemia (lack of blood flow) or hemorrhage.[1]
Ischemia is caused by either blockage of a blood vessel via thrombosis or arteri
al embolism, or by cerebral hypoperfusion.[2] Hemorrhagic stroke is caused by bl
eeding of blood vessels of the brain, either directly into the brain parenchyma
or into the subarachnoid space surrounding brain tissue.[3][4] As a result, the
affected area of the brain cannot function normally, which might result in an in
ability to move one or more limbs on one side of the body, failure to understand
or formulate speech, or a vision impairment of one side of the visual field.[5]
A stroke is a medical emergency and can cause permanent neurological damage or d
eath. Risk factors for stroke include old age, high blood pressure, previous str
oke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), diabetes, high cholesterol, tobacco smok
ing and atrial fibrillation.[5] High blood pressure is the most important modifi
able risk factor of stroke.[5] Cerebrovascular disease was the second leading ca
use of death worldwide in 2004.[6] An ischemic stroke is occasionally treated in
a hospital with thrombolysis (also known as a "clot buster"), and some hemorrha
gic strokes benefit from neurosurgery. Treatment to recover any lost function is
termed stroke rehabilitation, ideally in a stroke unit and involving health pro
fessions such as speech and language therapy, physical therapy and occupational
therapy. Prevention of recurrence may involve the administration of antiplatelet
drugs such as aspirin and dipyridamole, control and reduction of high blood pre
ssure, and the use of statins. Selected patients may benefit from carotid endart
erectomy and the use of anticoagulants.[5]