Stroke is a cardiovascular disease that affects the blood vessels supplying blood to the brain.
A stroke occurs when a blood vessel bringing oxygen and nutrients to the brain bursts or is clogged by a blood clot or some other particle. Every 53 seconds, someone in America has a stroke. In fact, stroke is the third leading cause of death behind diseases of the heart and cancer. About 600,000 Americans will have a stroke this year - and 160,000 of them will die. The quicker care can be administered, the more effective treatment can be.