Learning About Stroke

The fifth leading cause of death in the United States, stroke is one of the most common neurological diseases, affecting millions of people and their families. It occurs when blood supply to the brain is interrupted due to a blood clot or when there is bleeding in the brain. A stroke can alter the way you communicate, move around and function socially.

• Hemorrhagic stroke (cerebral hemorrhage) – bleeding into the brain which occurs when a blood vessel to the brain ruptures
• Ischemic stroke – blood flow is blocked by:
  • a narrowed or closed artery (cerebral thrombosis)
  • a blood clot (cerebral embolism) – a small part of an artery wall, or a small blood clot from a diseased artery, the heart, or elsewhere, travels to the brain
• Ruptured cerebral aneurysm (subarachnoid hemorrhage)
• Ruptured abnormal blood vessel (arteriovenous malformation or cavernous angioma)

Stroke Educational Resources:

• American Stroke Association
• American Heart Association
  • Myths Versus Facts About Stroke
• American Health Assistance Foundation
• National Women's Health Information Center