What is the medical term for a stroke?

The medical term for a stroke is "cerebrovascular accident" (CVA). This term encompasses both types of stroke: ischemic and hemorrhagic. A cerebrovascular accident refers to any event that affects the blood flow to the brain, leading to resulting symptoms that can range from mild to severe, depending on the area and extent of the brain affected.

Understanding the components of a CVA is crucial in recognizing the urgency of stroke care. Immediate response and treatment can significantly alter a patient's outcomes. Other terms related to strokes provide specific details but do not represent the overall classification. For example, a cerebral hemorrhage refers specifically to bleeding in the brain, while a transient ischemic attack (TIA) describes a temporary disruption of blood flow that typically resolves within minutes to hours and often serves as a warning sign of a potential future stroke. An ischemic attack, while often used colloquially, is not the formal medical term recognized in clinical contexts.