Stroke Facts

Stroke is a leading cause of death in the United States.¹ People of all ages and backgrounds can have a stroke.

America's Stroke Burden

• Someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds. Every four minutes someone dies of stroke.²
• Every year, about 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke. About 610,000 of these are first or new strokes. About 185,000 people who survive a stroke go on to have another.²
• Ischemic strokes, which occur when blood clots block the blood vessels to the brain, are the most common type of stroke, representing about 87% of all strokes.²
• In 2010, stroke cost the United States an estimated $53.9 billion.³ This total includes the cost of health care services, medications, and missed days of work.
• Stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability.

Stroke Risk Varies by Race and Ethnicity

Stroke is among the five leading causes of death for people of all races and ethnicities. But the risk of having a stroke varies. Compared to whites, African Americans are at nearly twice the risk of having a first stroke. Hispanic Americans' risk falls between the two. Moreover, African Americans and Hispanics are more likely to die following a stroke than are whites.²

Stroke Risk Varies by Age

Although stroke risk increases with age, strokes can—and do—occur at any age. Nearly one quarter of strokes occur in people under the age of 65.

Deaths Vary by Geography

The country's highest death rates due to stroke are in the southeastern United States.¹

Early Action is Key

• In a 2005 survey, most respondents—93%—recognized sudden numbness on one side as a symptom of stroke. Only 38% were aware of all major symptoms and knew to call 9-1-1 when someone was having a stroke.⁵
• Patients who arrive at the emergency room within three hours of their first symptoms tend to be healthier three months after a stroke than those whose care was delayed.²

Americans at Risk

Below is the percentage of U.S. adults with stroke risk factors in 2005–2006.⁶

Risk Factor	%
Inactivity	39.5
Obesity	33.9
High Blood Pressure	30.5
Cigarette Smoking	20.8
High Cholesterol	15.6
Diabetes	10.1

In 2003, approximately 37% of adults reported having two or more of the risk factors listed above.⁷

Fact Sheets

• Atrial Fibrillation
• High Blood Pressure
• Know the Signs and Symptoms of Stroke
• Stroke
• American Indian and Alaska Native Heart Disease and Stroke

References

1. Miniño AM, Murphy SL, Xu J, Kochanek KD. Deaths: Final data for 2008 [PDF-2.9M]. National Vital Statistics Reports; vol 59 no 10. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2011.
2. Roger VL, Go AS, Lloyd-Jones DM, et al. Heart disease and stroke statistics—2011 update: a report from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2011 Feb 1;123(4):e18-e209. Epub 2010 Dec 15.
3. Heidenreich PA, Trogdon JG, Khavjou OA, Butler J, Dracup K, Ezekowitz MD, et al. Forecasting the future of cardiovascular disease in the United States: a policy statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2011;123:933-44. Epub 2011 Jan 24.
4. Heron, M. Deaths: leading causes for 2004. National Vital Statistics Reports; Vol. 56 No. 5. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2007.
5. Fang J, Keenan NL, Ayala C, Dai S, Merritt R, Denny CH. Awareness of Stroke Warning Symptoms—13 States and the District of Columbia, 2005. MMWR. 2008;57:481–485.
6. CDC. Health, United States, 2008. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2008.
7. Hayes DK, Greenlund KJ, Denny CH, Keenan NL, Croft JB. Racial/Ethnic and Socioeconomic Disparities in Multiple Risk Factors for Heart Disease and Stroke—United States, 2003. MMWR. 2005;54:113–116.