Stroke Statistics
- Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, affecting millions of people every year. Stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted, causing brain cells to die. Stroke can cause various physical, cognitive, and emotional impairments, depending on the location and extent of brain damage. Stroke can also have a significant impact on the quality of life of survivors and their caregivers.
- According to the World Stroke Organization (WSO), there are over *12.2 million new strokes* each year³. Globally, *one in four* people over age 25 will have a stroke in their lifetime³. Each year, over *16%* of all strokes occur in people *15-49* years of age³. Each year, over *62%* of all strokes occur in people under *70* years of age³. Each year, *47%* of all strokes occur in *men*³.
- In the United States, about *795,000* people suffer a stroke each year⁴. Someone has a stroke every *40 seconds, and every **4 minutes* someone dies from stroke¹. There are more than *140,000 deaths* each year from stroke⁴. Statistics show that about *40%* of stroke deaths occur in *males* and *60%* in *females*⁴.
- The estimated global cost of stroke is over *US$721 billion* (0.66% of the global GDP)³. Stroke-related costs in the United States came to nearly *$56.5 billion* between 2018 and 2019¹. This total includes the cost of health care services, medicines to treat stroke, and missed days of work. Stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability¹. Stroke reduces mobility in more than half of stroke survivors age 65 and older¹.
- The risk of having a stroke varies with race and ethnicity. Risk of having a first stroke is nearly *twice* as high for non-Hispanic Black adults as for White adults¹, and non-Hispanic Black adults and Pacific Islander adults have the highest rates of death due to stroke¹. The death rate for stroke increased from *38.8* per 100,000 in 2020 to *41.1* per 100,000 in 2021¹.
- The most common type of stroke is ischemic stroke, which accounts for about *87%* of all strokes¹. Ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel in the brain. The other type of stroke is hemorrhagic stroke, which occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and bleeds. Hemorrhagic stroke is less common but more deadly than ischemic stroke.
- The chances of survival and recovery from stroke are greater when emergency treatment begins quickly. Therefore, it is important to know the warning signs and symptoms of stroke, such as sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, sudden confusion or trouble speaking, sudden vision problems, sudden trouble walking or balancing, or sudden severe headache. The acronym FAST can help remember the signs: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 9-1-1.