A stroke, sometimes called a brain attack, occurs when blood supply is blocked at some part of the brain or when the blood vessel in the brain bursts. In any case, an inadequate supply of oxygen in the brain can either damage the parts or make them die. A brain stroke can cause lasting brain damage, long-term disability including memory problems, paralysis etc or even death.
Brain stroke comes in as the second-most common cause of death and the fourth-leading cause of disability around the world. That said, stroke is a growing epidemic not only in India but everywhere. According to the Indian Stroke Association (ISA), 17 million people suffer a stroke each year, out of which 6 million people die and five million people remain permanently disabled.