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A stroke occurs when the brain is deprived of oxygen, which is crucial for brain function. This deprivation can result from various causes, but fundamentally, it leads to brain cell damage or death. Blood flow can be interrupted due to a blockage, like a clot, or due to a rupture of a blood vessel, both of which prevent oxygenated blood from reaching the brain. Without adequate oxygen, brain tissue begins to suffer, leading to the symptoms and consequences associated with a stroke.

The other options do not directly relate to the essential condition required for a stroke to happen. While a racing heart might be a factor in some cardiovascular issues, it is not a direct cause of stroke. Dilated arteries might occur in certain conditions but do not specifically initiate a stroke. Lastly, a sleeping patient does not impact the occurrence of a stroke; strokes can happen regardless of whether the person is awake or asleep. Thus, the critical condition that leads to a stroke is indeed the deprivation of oxygen to the brain.