Stroke is a cardiovascular disease that affects the arteries leading to and feeding the brain. Stroke occurs when a blood clot or rupture suddenly stops blood flow through one of these arteries. The affected part of the brain is starved of oxygen and nutrients and it begins to die.

There are two main types of stroke. Ischemic stroke, which occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery feeding the brain, is the most common type of stroke.

About 83 percent of all strokes are ischemic. The brain requires constant blood flow carrying oxygen and nourishment to function properly.

About 17 percent of strokes are hemorrhagic. This condition results when the wall of a blood vessel inside the brain weakens and ruptures, causing blood to leak into the surrounding brain tissue.