A blocked blood vessel is no longer able to bring oxygen and nutrients to the part of the brain it supplies. This part of the brain may die if the blockage lasts too long. Several possible symptoms of stroke occur depending upon what part of the brain is injured. There are many causes of stroke. Stroke may be caused by narrowing of brain blood vessels from atherosclerosis, the same disease that causes heart attacks.
Stroke can occur if a vessel breaks open causing a brain hemorrhage.