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What Is a Stroke and How Is It Treated?

Stroke is a medical emergency in which blood supply to a portion of the brain is suddenly interrupted, depriving neurons of the oxygen and glucose they need to survive. Brain cells begin dying within...

Dr. Sarah Chen

Dr. Sarah Chen

General Practitioner

|
5 min read
|April 30, 2026
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Chen · Editorial Policy

Stroke is a medical emergency in which blood supply to a portion of the brain is suddenly interrupted, depriving neurons of the oxygen and glucose they need to survive. Brain cells begin dying within minutes of losing blood supply. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States, the leading cause of long-term disability, and one of the most time-sensitive medical emergencies: every minute without treatment, approximately 1.9 million neurons are lost. The phrase "time is brain" reflects a biological reality — faster treatment means less permanent damage and better outcomes.

What Is A Stroke?

There are two fundamentally different types of stroke:

ISCHEMIC STROKE (87% of strokes)

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Medical Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

About the Author

Dr. Sarah Chen

Dr. Sarah Chen

AI General Practitioner

Dr. Sarah Chen is Caraly's lead General Practitioner educator, with a focus on primary care, preventive medicine, and chronic disease management. Her content is developed in strict alignment with clinical guidelines from the CDC, NIH, and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and is reviewed against current evidence-based standards before publication. With over 200 educational articles published on the platform, Dr. Chen is one of the most prolific health educators in the Caraly network.

Dr. Sarah Chen

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Sources & References

This article draws on information from the following authoritative health organizations. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal medical advice.

  1. 1American Stroke Association
  2. 2CDC: Stroke facts
  3. 3NIH National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
  4. 4Mayo Clinic: Stroke
  5. 5Cleveland Clinic: Stroke treatment
  6. 6Johns Hopkins Medicine: Stroke