Stroke is defined as which of the following?

• A. Hypertension
• B. Stroke (cerebrovascular accident [CVA])
• C. Tuberculosis
• D. Gastric ulcer

Answer: (B)

Stroke, or cerebrovascular accident, is a medical event in which blood flow to a part of the brain is suddenly interrupted or reduced, depriving brain cells of oxygen and nutrients and causing tissue damage. The correct choice names stroke and its clinical term, cerebrovascular accident, which is exactly what the condition is. Hypertension is high blood pressure and a major risk factor for stroke, but not the definition of stroke itself. Tuberculosis and a gastric ulcer describe entirely different conditions (an infectious lung disease and a stomach lining sore, respectively). Recognizing stroke quickly and seeking emergency care is crucial because timely treatment can limit brain damage and improve outcomes; stroke can be caused by a blocked artery (ischemic) or by a ruptured vessel (hemorrhagic).