Epidemiology, etiology and classification of stroke

Epidemiología, etiología y clasificación de la enfermedad vascular cerebral

Stroke is the sudden loss of the neurologic function as a response to the lack of blood supply to the brain. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the U.S.A. just below cardiovascular disease and cancer. The goal of this article is to present current data about epidemiology, etiology and classification of stroke according to research done in the last years. Another goal is to promote the knowledge of this illness and the fact that stroke is completely preventable. A better comprehension of stroke causes in the elderly can improve the way how health professionals handle patients and prevention strategies. This article explores the evidence of studies in the elderly, risk factors, prevention strategies and finally how stroke affects cognitive functioning in the case of working memory which is the capacity to temporarily store and manipulate information.