The loss of brain function arising when the blood supply to the brain is suddenly interrupted.

For an extensive history, see the following two sources: (1) Schutta HS and Howe HM. Seventeenth century concepts of ‘‘apoplexy’’ as reflected in Bonet’s ‘‘Sepulchretum’’. J Hist Neurosci 2006; 15: 250–268. (2) Coupland AP, Thapar A, Qureshi MI, Jenkins H, Davies AH. The definition of stroke. J R Soc Med. 2017 Jan;110(1):9-12. doi: 10.1177/0141076816680121. Epub 2017 Jan 13. PMID: 28084167; PMCID: PMC5298424.