Stroke is a rapidly developing loss of brain function
due to a disturbance in the supply of blood to the brain. Stroke can be either
ischemic or hemorrhagic. The most common type of stroke is caused by a blockage
in one of the blood vessels supplying the brain and is called ischemic stroke.
Ischemic strokes account for approximately 87% of all stroke cases. The
remaining 13% of cases are caused by the rupture of a blood vessel in the brain
and are called hemorrhagic strokes.
14 percent of people who have had a stroke, or TIA, will
have another within a year.
About 25 percent of stroke survivors will have another
stroke within five years.
References: ASA, 2007 update, Circulation, Feb 2007; 115: e69 - e171 University Hospital, Stroke statistics
