What Is a Stroke?

Stroke is a disease that impacts the arteries leading to—and within—the brain. It is the 4th-leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States. A stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. There are two primary kinds of stroke:

• An ischemic stroke is caused by a clot that obstructs the flow of blood to the brain. A transient ischemic attack (TIA), or "mini stroke," is caused by a temporary clot.
• Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel ruptures and prevents blood flow to the brain.

A stroke can impact vision, speech, behavior, the ability to think and the ability to move parts of the body.

Good Samaritan Hospital Comprehensive Stroke Center