STROKE - Causes, incidence, risk factors and prevention

A stroke is an interruption of the blood supply to any part of the brain. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack."

Alternative Names

Cerebrovascular disease; CVA; Cerebral infarction; Cerebral hemorrhage

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Every 45 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke. A stroke can happen when:

* A blood vessel carrying blood to the brain is blocked by a blood clot. This is called an ischemic stroke.

* A blood vessel breaks open, causing blood to leak into the brain. This is a hemmorhagic stroke.

If blood flow is stopped for longer than a few seconds, the brain cannot get blood and oxygen. Brain cells can die, causing permanent damage.