A stroke is an injury to the brain caused when the brain's blood
supply is interrupted or greatly reduced. The brain is deprived
of oxygen and nutrients, and brain cells begin to die within
minutes. For that reason, a stroke is considered a medical
emergency and requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. Stroke,
often called a "brain attack," is a leading cause of disability
and death worldwide. Strokes strike nearly 800,000 Americans
each year - killing approximately 137,000 and forever altering
the lives of those who survive. There are an estimated 6.5
million stroke survivors living in the U.S. today. Many years
ago strokes were believed to be untreatable, but this is no
longer the case, especially with newer techniques now available.
Major Types of Stroke Ischemic stroke: Caused by a blockage in
an artery, is responsible for about 85% of all strokes. Despite
extensive evaluation, many strokes of this type are of unknown
etiology. Fortunately, preventative treatments are effective for
all types of ischemic s