<unk>  is the rapidly developing loss of brain functions due to a disturbance in the blood vessels supplying blood to the brain. This can be due to ischemia (lack of blood supply) caused by thrombosis or embolism, or due to a hemorrhage.<unk>  is a medical emergency and can cause permanent neurological damage, complications and death if not promptly diagnosed and treated. It is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of adult disability in the United States and Europe. It is predicted that<unk>  will soon become the leading cause of death worldwide. WHO defines<unk>  as, a neurological deficit of cerebrovascular cause that persists beyond 24 hours or is interrupted by death within 24 hours.
Risk factors for<unk>  include advanced age, hypertension (high blood pressure), previous<unk>  or transient ischaemic attack (TIA), diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol, cigarette smoking, atrial fibrillation, migraine with aura, and thrombophilia. In clinical practice, blood pressure is the most important modifiable risk factor of<unk> ; however many other risk factors, such as cigarette smoking cessation and treatment of atrial fibrillation with anticoagulant drugs, are important. Treatment of  ischemic<unk>  is occasionally with thrombolysis, but usually with supportive care (physiotherapy and occupational therapy) and secondary prevention with antiplatelet drugs (aspirin and often dipyridamole), blood pressure control, statins and anticoagulation (in selected patients). Hemorrhagic<unk>  is a medical emergency, rapid diagnosis and management is crucial because early deterioration is common in the first few hours after ICH onset.
Stroke
Epilepsy
Subarachnoid hemorrhage
Migraine
Brain ischemia
Ischemic stroke
Hemorrhagic stroke
Migraine risk factors