what are the causes of stroke
Lack of blood flow to the brain, from blood clots or broken blood vessels, causes a stroke. In some cases, bleeding in the brain can also cause a stroke. Without a good blood supply, brain cells cannot get enough oxygen and begin to die. (Source: excerpt from HEART AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE: NWHIC)
Stroke definition and facts. 1  A stroke occurs when part of the brain loses its blood supply and stops working. This causes the part of the body that it controls to stop working as well.  A stroke is also called a cerebrovascular accident or CVA.