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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 [[cerebrum|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>

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 [[cerebrum|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. [[Smoking]], [[hypertension]] (high blood pressure), excess alcohol intake, as well as other medical conditions such as [[atrial fibrillation]] and other heart conditions, [[Diabetes_mellitus|diabetes]] and high cholesterol are also important preventable risk factors.<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]

The risk of stroke increases with age. [[Smoking]], [[hypertension]] (high blood pressure), excess alcohol intake, as well as other medical conditions such as [[Atrial Fibrillation|atrial fibrillation]] and other heart conditions, [[Diabetes_mellitus|diabetes]] and high cholesterol are also important preventable risk factors.<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]

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