What is a stroke?

What is a stroke?

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain is blocked or bursts. A stroke interrupts the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain, which can damage brain tissue and lead to:

• Difficulty speaking or understanding speech.
• Memory loss.
• Numbness or paralysis (inability to move).
• Pain.
• Problems controlling or expressing emotions, or depression.
• Trouble thinking, paying attention, learning or making judgments.
• Sometimes death.