How many people are affected by/at risk for stroke?

Each year, research estimates about 795,000 people in the United States have strokes with about 610,000 of these cases being first strokes. Nearly 1 in 4 people who survive a stroke will have another stroke.

Ischemic strokes make up about 87% of all strokes. Hemorrhagic strokes make up the remaining 13%.

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States. People of all ages and backgrounds can have a stroke. However, some demographic factors put certain people at higher risk of stroke or death from stroke. These include:

  • Race/ethnicity. African Americans have almost two times the risk of White people of having a first stroke. Hispanic Americans and American Indian/Alaska Natives are at greater risk than White people are for having a stroke but are at less risk than African Americans. African Americans and Hispanics are more likely than White people to die after having a stroke.
  • Age. Stroke risk increases with age but can happen at any age.
  • Geography. The highest U.S. death rates from stroke occur in the southeastern United States.
  • Gender. Men are more likely than women to have a stroke.

Certain lifestyle factors and conditions also increase the risk for stroke. The most important of these include:

  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Heart disease (such as atrial fibrillation)
  • Previous stroke or transient ischemic attack
  • Cigarette smoking

Additional risk factors include:

  • Physical inactivity
  • Overweight or obesity
  • High cholesterol
  • Sickle cell disease
  • Drinking too much alcohol
  • Family history of stroke
  • Drug use
  • Genetic conditions, such as blood-clotting or vascular disorders (for example, Factor V Leiden or CADASIL)
  • Certain medications (such as hormonal birth control pills)
  • Being pregnant
  • Menopause

Lesser risk factors include:

  • Head and neck injuries
  • Recent viral or bacterial infections

Amplification of risk occurs when a person has more than one of the previously listed risk factors. This means that the combined risk of two or more risk factors is greater than simply adding their effects.1,2

Citations

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012). Stroke. Retrieved August 7, 2012, from https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/
  2. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2012). Stroke: Hope through research. Retrieved August 7, 2012, from https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Stroke-Information-Page
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