Which medical condition is characterized by a sudden and severe reduction of blood flow to the brain?

A stroke is characterized by a sudden and severe reduction of blood flow to the brain, which can lead to the death of brain cells due to lack of oxygen and nutrients. This interruption in blood supply can result from either a blockage in a blood vessel, commonly known as an ischemic stroke, or a rupture of a blood vessel, referred to as a hemorrhagic stroke.

The symptoms of a stroke often occur suddenly and may include difficulty speaking, weakness or numbness on one side of the body, and problems with coordination or balance. Prompt medical intervention is critical in the case of a stroke, as time is essential in minimizing brain damage and improving outcomes for recovery.

In contrast, conditions like embolism and aneurysm can both contribute to or lead to a stroke, but they are not defined solely by the sudden reduction of blood flow to the brain itself. An embolism refers to a blockage caused by a foreign object, such as a blood clot, that travels through the bloodstream, while an aneurysm involves a weakened area in a blood vessel that can bulge and potentially rupture but does not inherently define the event of stroke. A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is often called a "mini-stroke" and involves temporary symptoms that resolve quickly