A stroke happens when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel or artery, or when a blood vessel breaks, interrupting blood flow to an area of the brain. The stroke kills brain cells in the immediate area. These cells usually die within minutes to a few hours after the stroke starts. When brain cells die , the abilities they controlled are lost or impaired. This includes functions such as speech, movement, and memory. The specific abilities lost or affected depend on where in the brain the stroke occurs and on the size of the stroke (i.e., the extent of brain cell death). More facts about stroke Help for caregivers | |
|