Annual Probability of Having a Stroke

Approximately 795,000 Americans experience a stroke each year, of which about 610,000 are first-time strokes and 185,000 are recurrent strokes. Someone in the US has a stroke about every 40 seconds and dies from a stroke about every 3.5 minutes. Stroke is the 5th leading cause of death and the leading cause of serious long-term disability.

About 87% of strokes are ischemic (caused by a blood clot blocking blood flow to the brain), while 13% are hemorrhagic (caused by a blood vessel rupture). Risk factors include hypertension (the most important modifiable risk factor), atrial fibrillation, diabetes, smoking, obesity, high cholesterol, physical inactivity, and excessive alcohol use. Age is the strongest non-modifiable risk factor, with risk doubling every decade after age 55.

Rapid treatment is critical. For ischemic strokes, IV tPA (clot-busting medication) must be administered within 4.5 hours, and mechanical thrombectomy can be performed up to 24 hours after symptom onset in select patients. The acronym BE-FAST helps identify strokes: Balance, Eyes, Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911. About 80% of strokes are preventable through risk factor management.