While the term is “stroke” is often used, most people do not understand precisely what it means. Stroke is a type of cardiovascular disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood (and oxygen) it needs, so it begins to die. There is more one type of stroke. Stroke can be caused either by a clot obstructing the flow of blood to the brain, or by a blood vessel rupturing and preventing blood flow to the brain. Stroke is the No. 4 cause of death in the United States. People with a history of stroke should have routine visits with their cardiologist.