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A '''stroke''' is [[paralysis]] of the body due to a problem with [[blood]] supply to the [[brain]]. As the [[blood]] supply to the brain depends on a single arterial system, a blockage can result in paralysis of even one whole side of the body. It often occurs during conditions of high [[blood pressure]], [[smoking]], and [[stress]], but can occur for unrelated reasons as well.  As with many body ailments, strokes are more common in the elderly.

A stroke (syn: cerebrovascular accident, CVA), is a medical condition whereby the [[blood]] supply to the [[brain]] is interrupted.  This is due to either a blood clot or vessel narrowing preventing blood flow, or a [[hemorrhage]].  The interruption of blood flow causes [[ischemia]] of the [[cerebral]] tissues (brain cell death), commonly leading to a sensory or motor deficit lasting longer than 24 hours (a deficit lasting less than 24 hours is termed a [[Transient Ischemic Attack]].  The severity of disability is dependant on the site and extent of ischemia.  In western countries, stroke is the most common cause of permanent disability, and a leading cause of death.<ref>[http://www.emedicine.com/EMERG/topic558.htm eMedicine - Ischemic Stroke]</ref>

 

The risk of stroke increases with age, with [[smoking]], [[hypertension]] (high blood pressure), excess alcohol intake, as well as with other medical conditions such as [[atrial fibrillation]] and other heart conditions, [[diabetes]] and high cholesterol.<ref>[http://www.stroke.org.uk/information/preventing_a_stroke/index.html Stroke.org - Information sheet]</ref> There is also an increased risk associated with taking estrogen-containing medications (such as the combined oral contraceptive pill and HRT), due to thickening of the blood.<ref>[http://www.medicine.ox.ac.uk/bandolier/booth/hliving/StroOCP.html Bandolier - Risk of stroke using oral contraceptives]

 

[[category:medicine]]

[[category:medicine]]