Stroke deprives the brain of oxygen-carrying blood, causing brain cells to die.
Stroke affects 550,000 Americans each year. It is the third leading cause of death with a total of 150,000 deaths each year. It is the leading cause of severe disability with a total cost to society of 30 billion dollars per year in the US alone. Types of Stroke Ischemic stroke , caused by blood clots which block the flow of blood to the brain. Hemorrhagic stroke occur when blood vessels burst, causing bleeding within or around the brain.