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| 1. Definition of Stroke / 2. Symptoms of a Stroke | |
What is a stroke?Definition of StrokeA stroke is very similar to a heart attack, except that it occurs in the brain. Indeed, a stroke is a "brain attack" in that blood flow is suddenly blocked (blockage), depriving the brain of vital nutrients and oxygen and causing death of brain cells in the affected area. The most common type of stroke -- called an ischemic stroke -- is often caused by the blood-vessel (artery) buildup of fatty deposits (plaques) in the brain. Or, a blood clot may break away from plaque in some other part of the body and travel to the brain, where it stops blood flow. Much less often, a stroke is caused by a ruptured blood vessel that causes bleeding in the brain; this is called a hemorrhagic stroke.
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