What is a stroke?

A stroke occurs when there is an interruption of blood supply to a part of the brain, which can lead to damage in brain tissue. This interruption can result from a variety of causes, including a blockage in the artery that supplies blood to the brain (also known as an ischemic stroke) or bleeding in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). When blood flow is disrupted, brain cells begin to die due to a lack of oxygen and nutrients, which can result in long-term deficits in function depending on the location and extent of the damage.

Understanding this definition is crucial, as it highlights both the urgency of stroke as a medical emergency and the potential need for rapid response to restore blood flow and minimize damage. This distinguishes a stroke clearly from other cardiovascular events like damage to heart tissue or the buildup of cholesterol, which relate to other health issues but do not specifically define a stroke.