A stroke is an injury of the brain due to disruption of blood vessels carrying nutrients and oxygen to brain tissues.
Severe stroke can cause coma or death.
A stroke is called a brain attack to indicate its parallels with a heart attack. Perhaps the greatest concern for many stroke survivors is that they will become a burden to others. Stroke is an emergency that warrants immediate medical attention, which can minimize permanent damage and disability. Stroke risk increases sharply with each decade past 45 years of age. Risk factors for stroke that are rarer or are being studied include history of neck trauma, immune system disorders, sickle cell anemia, use of cocaine, and blood clotting disorders.