Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is clinically defined as a neurological deficit, usually focal, of sudden onset or rapid evolution, with no apparent cause other than vascular, lasting more than twenty-four hours or, when shorter, leading to death. Among the vascular causes are alterations in the structure and function of the vessels, related to blood flow and the coagulation system. The aim of this study is to investigate the etiology of this event. It is a qualitative-quantitative, retrospective study with clinical research on stroke in Brazil, searching the following databases: Pubmed, Scielo and Lilacs, in Portuguese and English. Stroke is the leading cause of death in Brazil, with a high prevalence and kinetic value, while worldwide it is the second leading cause of death (around 11% of all deaths). This event is classified as ischemic or hemorrhagic, and its etiology is vast. That's why it's essential to determine the etiology of the event, in addition to determining the appropriate treatment for secondary prophylaxis and rehabilitation measures.