What is a stroke?

A stroke is a severe condition and a serious threat, which requires immediate medical intervention. This disease is a major cause for invalidity and mortality in the world. Strokes are ranked third in the world in regards to mortality. A stroke is a vascular disorder which occurs in the brain: when a blood vessel ruptures and the blood leaks into the surrounding area, or when a blood vessel becomes blocked and does not allow for the circulation of blood in a particular area of the brain. A stroke can occur at any time, at any age, but those above 65 years of age are particularly susceptible. It is possible to recover completely from such a condition, but often patients may suffers from varying degrees of disability. About 50% of survivors of stroke will suffer from some level of functional disability for around 6 months.

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on
Medical Author: Dr. med. Diana Hysi