What is the medical term for a stroke?

The term for a stroke is cerebrovascular accident (CVA). This terminology refers to a sudden event that disrupts the flow of blood to the brain, leading to neurological changes that can manifest in a variety of symptoms, such as loss of motor function, speech difficulties, and cognitive impairments.

Stroke is classified into two main types: ischemic strokes, where blood flow is blocked, often by a blood clot, and hemorrhagic strokes, which involve bleeding in or around the brain. The term cerebrovascular accident encompasses both types and highlights the involvement of the cerebrovascular system—specifically, the blood vessels in the brain.

The other terms provided do not denote a stroke directly. For instance, a transient ischemic attack refers to a temporary episode of neurological dysfunction caused by a brief interruption in blood flow, but it is not a stroke in the traditional sense; it serves as a warning sign for potential future strokes. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) pertains to a digestive condition and is unrelated to brain function or stroke. Ischemic cerebrovascular accident is a more specific term that could describe one type of stroke, but cerebrovascular accident is the more general and widely recognized term. Therefore, cerebrovascular accident effectively captures the full scope of