Stroke definition in medical terms
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Medical Definition of Stroke: Key Terms and Concepts
Stroke is defined in medical terms as a sudden neurological deficit caused by an acute injury to the central nervous system (CNS) due to a vascular event. This includes both ischemic events (blockage of blood flow) and hemorrhagic events (bleeding into the brain) 14610. The injury can affect the brain, spinal cord, or retina, and is attributed to either a loss of blood supply (infarction) or bleeding (hemorrhage) 1467.
Types of Stroke: Ischemic and Hemorrhagic
There are two main types of stroke:
- Ischemic Stroke: This is the most common type, caused by a blockage in an artery that supplies blood to the brain, leading to tissue death due to lack of oxygen and nutrients 234610.
- Hemorrhagic Stroke: This occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, causing bleeding into or around the brain 234610.
Both types result in rapid loss of brain function, and the specific symptoms depend on the area of the brain affected 247.
Clinical Features and Diagnostic Criteria
A stroke is characterized by rapidly developing symptoms and signs of focal (sometimes global) loss of cerebral function, lasting more than 24 hours or leading to death, with no apparent cause other than a vascular origin 57. Symptoms can include paralysis, speech and language problems, sensory loss, cognitive impairment, and changes in consciousness 57.
The updated medical definition also incorporates evidence from neuroimaging and pathology, not just clinical symptoms. Central nervous system infarction is defined as cell death in the brain, spinal cord, or retina due to ischemia, confirmed by clinical, imaging, or pathological evidence .
Stroke as a Major Health Concern
Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, with significant socioeconomic impact 13410. It is most common in older adults, but about 10% of strokes occur in people under 50 14. Risk factors include hypertension, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, and physical inactivity 4710.
Conclusion
In summary, stroke in medical terms refers to a sudden loss of neurological function due to a vascular event in the central nervous system, either from blocked blood flow (ischemic) or bleeding (hemorrhagic). Diagnosis relies on clinical presentation and, increasingly, on imaging evidence. Stroke remains a major cause of death and disability, highlighting the importance of prevention, early detection, and effective management 123456710.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic