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Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of serious disability for adults.1,2 About 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke each year.2Get more quick facts about stroke.

Stroke is preventable. You may be able to prevent stroke or lower your chances of having a stroke.

Stroke is treatable. Learn the signs of stroke, and call 9-1-1 right away if you think someone might be having a stroke. Getting fast treatment is important to preventing death and disability from stroke.



Grantee Information

Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Registry    SPHA    WISWEWOMAN

Prince Quire’s Stroke Story

Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. has a stroke. One of those people was 39-year-old Prince Quire. Learn what healthy steps Prince takes now to prevent another stroke and to encourage others.

Watch more stroke videos.


Spotlight on Stroke

Stroke death declines have STALLED in 3 out of every 4 states. CONTINUED= death rates continued to decrease steadily from 2000 through 2015 in adults 35 years and older SLOWED= the decrease in death rates slowed down over time REVERSED= the death rates reversed from decreasing to increasing DECLINES HAVE: •	Continued in Alaska, Montana, Wyoming, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Arkansas, West Virginia, and Rhode Island. •	Slowed in Washington, Oregon, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, New York, Virginia, South Carolina, Maine, New Hampshire, Delaware, and New Jersey. •	Reversed in Hawaii, California, Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Louisiana, Illinois, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Florida, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.

CDC Vital Signs: Progress has slowed in preventing stroke deaths. Access new data and proven strategies to prevent and treat stroke.

Featured Items

Mind Your Risks.

October 29 is World Stroke Day
Stroke is a leading cause of death and serious disability. Stroke can happen to anyone at any age, but about 80% of strokes are preventable. Everyone can help prevent stroke. Learn more about ways to raise awareness about stroke prevention at https://millionhearts.hhs.gov/news-media/events/world-stroke-day.html.

Vital Signs: Preventing Stroke Deaths

Vital Signs: Preventing Stroke Deaths
After decades of decline, progress has slowed in preventing stroke deaths. Almost 800,000 people have a stroke each year, more than 140,000 die and many survivors face disability. This is disturbing because about 80% of strokes are preventable. Controlling your blood pressure, managing cholesterol, diabetes, and quitting smoking are important steps to reducing your risk. Learn more about how health systems can address stroke risk factors and improve the quality of stroke care to reduce stroke deaths.

HDS widget

Heart Disease and Stroke Maps
With the Heart Disease and Stroke Map Widget, state and local health departments and other organizations can display state-and county-level maps of heart disease and stroke death rates on their websites. The maps are automatically updated by CDC.

Face the Facts: Stroke Is Treatable

Face the Facts: Stroke Is Treatable
World Stroke Day raises awareness of the warning signs of stroke and how to act F.A.S.T. if you think someone may be having a stroke. Learn more.

New Report on Prevention of Stroke

Report on Prevention of Stroke: A Strategic Global Imperative
Over the past 20 years, there has been a significant increase in the number of people having strokes worldwide. A report from Nature reviews primary stroke prevention strategies and suggests key actions to help reduce the burden of stroke. The report was compiled by several stroke experts, including scientists from the CDC.

Hispanic Women

“Stroke and You” Fact Sheet Series
Certain groups are at higher risk for stroke. The “Stroke and You” series highlights the prevention challenges these groups face and what CDC is doing to address them.

References

  1. Kochanek KD, Xu JQ, Murphy SL, Arias E. Mortality in the United States, 2013. NCHS Data Brief, No. 178. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services; 2014.
  2. Mozzafarian D, Benjamin EJ, Go AS, Arnett DK, Blaha MJ, Cushman M, et al., on behalf of the American Heart Association Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Subcommittee. Heart disease and stroke statistics—2016 update: a report from the American Heart Association. Circulation 2016;133(4):e38–360.
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