Stroke: epidemiology, classification, risk factors, complications, diagnosis, prevention, and medical and dental management.

Cerebrovascular accident, or stroke, refers to an acute onset of neurologic deficits lasting more than 24 hours or culminating in death caused by a sudden impairment of cerebral circulation. Stroke is the third leading cause of death and a major cause of long-term disability in the United States. This article provides the dental community with an up-to-date understanding of the epidemiology, classification, risk factors, complications, diagnosis, prevention, and medical and dental management issues pertaining to stroke.