What medical event occurs when blood supply to the brain is obstructed or disrupted?

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is obstructed or disrupted, which can lead to brain damage or brain cell death. This obstruction can occur due to a blood clot (ischemic stroke) or a burst blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke). The brain relies on a continuous supply of blood to provide oxygen and nutrients, so any interruption can have severe consequences on brain function.

In contrast, cardiac arrest refers to a sudden loss of heart function, a heart attack involves the blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle itself, and a transient ischemic attack, while also caused by interrupted blood flow, results in temporary symptoms that typically resolve within minutes to hours but does not lead to permanent damage. Understanding the differences among these terms is crucial for recognizing the signs of each medical event and their implications for health.