Definition
Stroke is a brain injury caused by an interruption in blood flow. Brain tissue that does not get oxygen and nutrients from blood can die within minutes. The damage to the brain can cause a sudden loss in bodily functions. The types of function that are affected will depend on the part of the brain that is damaged.
There are two blood flow problems that cause a stroke. Strokes may be ischemic or hemorrhagic.
•An ischemic stroke is caused by a blocked blood vessel. It is the most common cause of stroke.
• A hemorrhagic stroke is caused by a ruptured blood vessel