Cerebrovascular accident is another term for which condition?

• A. Myocardial infarction
• B. Seizure
• C. Transient ischemic attack
• D. Stroke

Answer: (D)

Cerebrovascular accident is another term for stroke. It describes a sudden disruption of blood flow to part of the brain, either from a blocked artery (ischemic stroke) or from bleeding in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke), which damages brain tissue. This results in abrupt neurologic deficits such as weakness or numbness on one side, trouble speaking or understanding speech, facial droop, vision changes, or a severe headache. It’s different from a myocardial infarction, which is a heart attack, and from a transient ischemic attack, which presents with stroke-like symptoms that resolve quickly and do not cause lasting brain injury. Seizures involve abnormal electrical activity in the brain rather than a vascular disruption.