Epidemiology of Stroke

Strokes are the third leading cause of death in the United States. Only heart disease and cancer are more common causes of death than stroke. It is the most common of all life-threatening neurologic diseases. It is also the most common cause of severe disability in the nation, along with trauma.

Every year, 700,000 people will have a new stroke in the U.S. At any moment in time, there are approximately 4 million stroke survivors in the nation.

Stroke is more common in men than in premenopausal women. Women are equally affected after menopause, so that the onset of disease among women is 10 years later than in men. Women are more likely to die from a stroke than men. When women have a stroke, they are more likely to be institutionalized than men. Women with stroke are also more likely to have no caretaker.

Stroke is most common among people over the age of 65 and the incidence is higher in older age groups. However, stroke is among the first 10 leading causes of death among people aged 17 or older. Stroke remains an important cause of death and disability even in the pediatric age group. One out of every five (5) stroke patients is younger than 55.

Among men, the risk of stroke is highest after the age of 55. The risk of stroke is higher in women aged 65 or older.

Hence, stroke affects a significant proportion of patients in their economically productive, active life.

Certain racial groups, notably African-Americans and Hispanics, have a greater risk for stroke.

The "Stroke Belt", proposed to exist in the South and Southeast areas of the United States, is an area of high risk for stroke. The reasons for the high incidence of stroke in the "belt" is unknown.

The economic impact of stroke in the nation amounts to an estimated $40 billion for the lifetime of survivors.

Many patients are unable to return to work and become dependent on their family or a long-term care facility. The caregiver may have to leave a job or reduce working hours to care for the stroke patient. In addition, caregivers may be affected by depression by the end of the first year after the stroke.