From the Guidelines
The incidence of Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) or Stroke is approximately 795,000 people in the United States each year, with about 610,000 of these being first-time strokes, resulting in 6.8 million stroke survivors over the age of 19. This significant public health concern is further emphasized by the fact that stroke ranks as the fourth-leading cause of death in the United States 1. Globally, the incidence rates of stroke have fallen by 42% in high-income countries but have increased by over 100% in low- and middle-income countries over the past four decades 1.
Key Statistics and Risk Factors
- Approximately 795,000 people in the United States experience a stroke each year, with about 610,000 being first-time strokes 1.
- Stroke results in 6.8 million stroke survivors over the age of 19 in the United States 1.
- The incidence of stroke increases dramatically with age, with risk factors including hypertension, diabetes, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, and atrial fibrillation 1.
- Hypertension is a particularly significant risk factor, with proper management potentially reducing stroke risk by up to 40% 1.
Prevention and Management
- Maintaining blood pressure below 130/80 mmHg through medications like ACE inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril 10-40 mg daily), ARBs, or calcium channel blockers, alongside lifestyle modifications, is recommended for prevention 1.
- Lifestyle modifications include a low-sodium diet, regular exercise (150 minutes weekly), smoking cessation, and limited alcohol consumption 1.
- These preventive measures are crucial as stroke remains a leading cause of long-term disability worldwide, with approximately 25% of survivors experiencing another stroke within 5 years 1.
Global Impact
- Stroke incidence rates in low- and middle-income countries now exceed those in high-income countries, highlighting the need for global preventive strategies 1.
- An international case-control study found that 10 potentially modifiable risk factors explained 90% of the risk of stroke, emphasizing the importance of targeted interventions 1.
From the Research
Incidence of Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) or Stroke
- The incidence of stroke varies globally, with approximately 12.2 million incident cases of stroke occurring in 2019 2.
- In the United States, nearly 800,000 strokes occur each year, making it the fifth leading cause of death overall and the fourth leading cause of death among women 3.
- The annual number of strokes and deaths due to stroke increased substantially from 1990 to 2019, despite substantial reductions in age-standardised rates, particularly among people older than 70 years 2.
- Ischaemic stroke constituted 62.4% of all incident strokes in 2019, while intracerebral haemorrhage constituted 27.9% and subarachnoid haemorrhage constituted 9.7% 2.
Global Burden of Stroke
- Stroke is the second leading cause of death and a major cause of disability worldwide, with its incidence increasing due to the aging population 4.
- The global burden of stroke is expected to continue growing, particularly in low-income countries, without urgent implementation of effective primary prevention strategies 2.
- High systolic blood pressure, high body-mass index, high fasting plasma glucose, ambient particulate matter pollution, and smoking are the leading risk factors for stroke, contributing to a significant proportion of stroke-related disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) 2.
Regional Variations in Stroke Incidence and Mortality
- Incidence and mortality of stroke differ between countries, geographical regions, and ethnic groups, with high-income countries experiencing a substantial decrease in the burden of stroke over the past 30 years 4.
- Crude stroke mortality rates vary significantly across countries, with some regions having three to fivefold greater incidence than others 5.
- Data on stroke incidence and mortality are often lacking or outdated in many countries, highlighting the need for a common repository of the latest published information on the impact of stroke worldwide 5.