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aneurysm: A large pocket or bubble in a blood vessel that forms a weak spot in the vessel's wall, which can be life-threatening if it ruptures; some people may have a genetic tendency to develop aneurysms.

anticoagulants: Drugs used to reduce blood's clotting ability.

antiplatelets: Medications that interfere with blood clotting by inhibiting the activity of platelets.

aorta: The main artery that carries blood from the heart.

aphasia: Difficulty speaking or comprehending language; a common occurrence after a stroke affecting the left hemisphere of the brain, where language is processed.

arrhythmia: An abnormal heart rhythm caused by a disturbance in the heart's electrical system.

arteriovenous malformation: An abnormal tangle of blood vessels in which the arteries feed directly into the veins.

artery: A blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart.

atherosclerosis: The dangerous narrowing of a blood vessel from the buildup of cholesterol and other debris along the vessel wall.

atherothrombotic stroke: A type of stroke that occurs when a large artery to the brain, already narrowed by atherosclerosis, is completely blocked by the formation of a clot.

atrial fibrillation: A common heart rhythm disturbance in which the atria quiver ineffectually, allowing blood to pool in the left atrium and form clots that may travel to the brain and cause an embolic stroke.

basilar artery: The artery that supplies blood to the cerebellum, the brainstem, and the back of the brain.

brainstem: The brain structure that is the major communication route among the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves; controls heart rate, breathing, and other vital functions.

carotid artery: One of two major vessels, on either side of the neck, that supplies blood to the brain; each one divides into external and internal carotid arteries, which carry blood to the face and neck and the front part of the brain, respectively.

carotid bruit: An abnormal sound heard with a stethoscope in the carotid artery; people who have carotid bruits have a greater risk of having a stroke.

carotid duplex Doppler scanning: An ultrasound technique that makes images of the carotid arteries.

carotid endarterectomy: A surgical procedure that removes plaque from the carotid artery and restores blood flow to the brain.

cerebral angiography: An invasive imaging procedure used to make detailed x-ray pictures of the blood vessels in the brain; dye is injected into the carotid arteries to highlight the blood vessels on x-rays.

cerebral hemorrhage: Another term for hemorrhagic stroke.

cerebral infarction: The death of part of the brain from a lack of oxygen-carrying blood.

Circle of Willis: A group of arteries at the base of the brain that supplies blood to all parts of the brain and provides collateral routes for blood flow if a major vessel becomes blocked.

computed tomography (CT): An imaging technique that uses a computer and x-rays passed through the body at different angles to create a detailed, nearly three-dimensional picture of the brain; often used to rule out a hemorrhage as the cause of stroke.

CT angiography (CTA): High-speed CT scanning, which enables doctors to determine the type of stroke and its pathology.

diastolic pressure: The second or lower number in a blood pressure reading; it notes the pressure against arterial walls when the heart is at rest between contractions.

Doppler ultrasound: A noninvasive imaging method that uses high-frequency sound waves to view blood vessels and measure how fast blood is flowing through them.

dysarthria: A speech disability caused by an injury to the brain centers controlling the face, mouth, neck, or throat; people so affected may be able to understand speech and form the right words in their mind but cannot articulate them.

dysphagia: A difficulty in swallowing; extremely common after a stroke.

echocardiography: An imaging test that uses ultrasound to obtain a structural picture of the heart.

embolic stroke: A type of stroke that occurs when a blood clot that has formed elsewhere in the body breaks off and travels through the bloodstream until it blocks an artery that normally supplies blood to the brain.

embolus: A fragment of a blood clot that travels from the site where it was formed and lodges in a vessel in another part of the body, blocking blood flow.

fibrin: A stringy protein that is the principal component of a blood clot.

hemianopia: Defective vision or blindness in one side of the visual field in one or both eyes; may be caused by an embolic or low-flow transient ischemic attack or stroke in the posterior cerebral artery region.

hemiparesis: Muscular weakness on one side of the body; if the right side is affected, the stroke damaged the left side of the brain.

hemiplegia: Paralysis limited to one side of the body.

hemorrhagic stroke: A type of stroke that occurs when a blood vessel ruptures, cutting off the supply of oxygen and nutrition to part of the brain.

heparin: An anticoagulant drug that inhibits blood from clotting by interfering with coagulation factors; usually administered in the hospital, either by injection or an intravenous line.

hypertension: High blood pressure; a major risk factor for stroke, especially hemorrhagic and lacunar strokes, because it puts excess stress on the walls of blood vessels and damages their delicate inner lining.

hypertensive cerebellar hemorrhage: A type of hemorrhagic stroke caused by high blood pressure in which blood leaks into the cerebellum; symptoms include abrupt dizziness and loss of balance.

hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage: A type of hemorrhagic stroke in which high blood pressure causes a blood vessel deep within the brain to rupture.

intracerebral hemorrhage: A hemorrhagic stroke that occurs when a blood vessel ruptures and bleeds into the brain tissue.

ischemic stroke: A stroke caused by an interruption in the flow of blood to the brain; almost always caused by a blood clot blocking a blood vessel.

lacunar stroke: A small ischemic stroke caused by the blockage of one of the smaller blood vessels in the brain; the most common effect is weakness or disability on one side of the body.

left ventricular hypertrophy: A thickening of the wall of the left ventricle of the heart.

lobar hemorrhage: An intracerebral hemorrhage that occurs in the white matter beneath the cerebral cortex.

lumbar puncture: A procedure in which a hollow needle is inserted into the lower part of the spinal canal to withdraw fluid for testing. Also called a spinal tap.

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): A noninvasive imaging technique that uses magnetic fields to capture detailed images of the brain; sometimes used instead of cerebral angiography.

meninges: The three membranes that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord.

myocardial infarction: The sudden death of part of the heart muscle from lack of oxygen; a heart attack.

neutropenia: An abnormally low number of white blood cells.

obstructive sleep apnea: A disorder characterized by heavy snoring and interrupted breathing during sleep; often associated with obesity; a risk factor for stroke.

pathology: The underlying abnormalities in biology and physiology that contribute to or are characteristic of a disease.

physiatrist: A physician who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation.

plaque: A fatty buildup of cholesterol, calcium, and other substances inside a blood vessel.

plasmin: An enzyme that breaks down fibrin and dissolves blood clots.

recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (tPA): A thrombolytic drug made using recombinant DNA technology; it can sometimes dissolve blood clots that cause ischemic strokes.

stroke: A "brain attack"; occurs when a blood vessel supplying the brain becomes obstructed or tears.

subarachnoid hemorrhage: A hemorrhagic stroke that occurs when a blood vessel on the surface of the brain bursts and bleeds into the space between the brain and the skull; usually caused by an aneurysm or other blood vessel malformation.

systolic pressure: The first or top number in a blood pressure reading; a measure of the pressure the heart exerts against arterial walls when it contracts to pump blood.

thrombolytics: Drugs that dissolve blood clots; one example is recombinant tissue plasminogen activator.

thrombus: A blood clot that has formed inside an intact blood vessel.

transcranial Doppler scanning: An ultrasound technique that makes images of the major arteries at the base of the brain.

transient ischemic attack (TIA): A brain attack that resolves within 24 hours; often the first sign of an impending stroke, but may cause damage on its own.

vasospasm: A frequent complication following a hemorrhagic stroke in which a blood vessel contracts uncontrollably.

vertebral artery: One of two blood vessels that run up the back of the neck and join at the base of the skull to form the basilar artery.

warfarin: An anticoagulant drug that prevents blood clotting; people taking it must have regular blood tests to determine clotting time.

Source: from Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2008 Harvard University. All rights reserved. Harvard Medical School does not endorse products.
Used with permission of StayWell.
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