Sudden bursting or blockage of a blood vessel in the brain, which causes serious bleeding or blocks blood circulation. This leads to a stroke.
<neurology> This general term encompasses such problems as stroke and cerebral haemorrhage. ... Acronym: CVA ... (12 Jan 1998) ... 
see stroke.
Stroke
(CVA) Type: Term Definitions: 1. an imprecise term for cerebral stroke.
Cerebrovascular accident: The sudden death of some brain cells due to lack of oxygen when the blood flow to the brain is impaired by blockage or rupture of an artery to the brain. A CVA is also referred to as a stroke. Symptoms of a stroke depend on the area of the brain affected. The most common symptom is weakness or paralysis of one side of the ...
stroke (def. 6). Abbr.: CVA
Also called cerebral vascular accident, apoplexy, or stroke. Blood supply to some part of the brain is slowed or stopped, resulting in injury to brain tissue.