Topic Overview

Stroke is the most common cause of disability resulting from damage to the nervous system. A stroke may affect:

• Movement. You may not be able to use your arms or walk. This is usually because of weakness or paralysis on one side of the body (hemiparesis).
• Speech and language. You may not be able to speak, read, or write. Also, you may not be able to understand what someone else is saying.
• Thinking and reasoning. You may not be able to think clearly. The stroke may cause you to act differently than you did before the stroke.
• Senses. You may not be able to feel when something or someone touches your affected body parts, such as the arms or legs. Your sight or hearing may be affected (rare).