3 imperatives to transform health care in America. You're invited to watch it live

Free

E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Sign up now

Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of your brain is interrupted or severely reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and food. Within minutes, brain cells begin to die.

A stroke is a medical emergency. Prompt treatment is crucial. Early action can minimize brain damage and potential complications.

The good news is that strokes can be treated and prevented, and many fewer Americans die of stroke now than even 15 years ago. Better control of major stroke risk factors — high blood pressure, smoking and high cholesterol — may be responsible for the decline.

Symptoms
References
  1. Stroke: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/stroke.htm. Accessed April 13, 2012.
  2. Oliveira-Filho J. Initial assessment and management of acute stroke. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed April 13, 2012.
  3. Know stroke brochure. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://stroke.nih.gov/materials/actintime.htm. Accessed April 13, 2012.
  4. Roger V, et al. Heart disease and stroke statistics - 2012 update: A report from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2012;125:e2.
  5. Warning signs of a stroke. National Stroke Association. http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=SYMP. Accessed April 13, 2012.
  6. Caplan LR. Overview of the evaluation of stroke. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed April 13, 2012.
  7. Caplan LR. Etiology and classification of stroke. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed April 13, 2012.
  8. Ischemic stroke (clots). American Stroke Association. http://www.strokeassociation.org/STROKEORG/AboutStroke/TypesofStroke/IschemicClots/Ischemic-Strokes-Clots_UCM_310939_Article.jsp. Accessed April 27, 2012.
  9. Cerebral aneurysms fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/cerebral_aneurysms.htm. Accessed April 27, 2012.
  10. Furie KL, et al. Etiology and clinical manifestations of transient ischemic attack. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed April 27, 2012.
  11. Effects of stroke. National Stroke Association. http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=EFFECT. Accessed April 27, 2012.
  12. Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm?css=print. Accessed May 7, 2012.
  13. What is echocardiography? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/echo/. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  14. Samuels OB. Intravenous fibrinolytic (thrombolytic) therapy in acute ischemic stroke: Therapeutic use. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed April 27, 2012.
  15. Oliveira-Filho J. Reperfusion therapy for acute ischemic stroke. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed April 27, 2012.
  16. Cucchiara BL, et al. Antiplatelet therapy for secondary prevention of stroke. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed April 27, 2012.
  17. Questions and answers about carotid endarterectomy. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/carotid_endarterectomy_backgrounder.htm. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  18. Mohler ER, et al. Carotid endarterectomy. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  19. Greelish JP, et al. Carotid artery stenting and its complications. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  20. Rordorf G, et al. Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage: Prognosis and treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  21. Arteriovenous malformations and other vascular lesions of the central nervous system fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/avms/avms.htm. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  22. Recovery and rehabilitation. National Stroke Association. http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=REHABT. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  23. Recovery after stroke — Coping with emotions. National Stroke Association. http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Recov_factsheets. Accessed April 27, 2012.
  24. Recovery after stroke — Social support. National Stroke Association. http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Recov_factsheets. Accessed April 27, 2012.
  25. Recovery after stroke — Thinking and cognition. National Stroke Association. http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Recov_factsheets. Accessed April 27, 2012.
  26. Controllable risk factors — High blood pressure (hypertension). National Stroke Association. http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Recov_factsheets. Accessed April 27, 2012.
  27. STARS — Steps against recurrent stroke. National Stroke Association. http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=STARS. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  28. Physical activity and healthy diet. National Stroke Association. http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=eathealthy. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  29. Furie KL. Secondary prevention of stroke: Risk factor reduction. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  30. Oliveira-Filho J, et al. Antithrombotic treatment of acute ischemic stroke. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed May 15, 2012.
  31. Brown RD (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 10, 2012.
DS00150 July 3, 2012

© 1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

  • Reprints
  • Print

  • Share on:

  • Email

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger