What is a characteristic feature of a stroke?

A characteristic feature of a stroke is its primary involvement of the central nervous system. Strokes affect the brain's blood supply, leading to neurological deficits that can manifest as sudden weakness, coordination problems, speech difficulties, and sensory changes. This central nervous system involvement is crucial for identifying and diagnosing a stroke, as symptoms result directly from brain function impairment.

The other options do not accurately reflect the nature of a stroke. While some strokes can present with gradual symptoms, they almost always have a sudden onset, making that option incorrect. Strokes can be ischemic or hemorrhagic, which means they are not limited to only ischemic causes. Additionally, strokes inherently involve neurological symptoms, as they are a direct result of brain damage or dysfunction, contrary to the idea that there would be no neurological involvement.