Stroke Epidemiology and Impact

A cerebrovascular accident or stroke is an acute disease of blood vessels of the brain. Ischemic stroke is the most common type of stroke, estimated to be about 87% of all strokes. Ten percent are estimated to be intracerebral hemorrhagic stroke (ICH), and 3% subarachnoid hemorrhagic stroke (SAH). Stroke remains the fourth leading cause of death in the United States in 2012, only surpassed by diseases of the heart, cancer, and chronic lower respiratory diseases. Stroke is the 2nd leading cause of death worldwide. This chapter examines the epidemiology and impact of stroke in the United States and globally.