From the Guidelines
The global incidence of stroke is approximately 15 million new cases annually, with about 5 million deaths attributed to stroke each year, as stated in the most recent and highest quality study 1.
Overview of Stroke Incidence
The incidence of stroke varies significantly by region, with higher rates in developing countries, particularly in Eastern Europe, North Asia, Central Africa, and the South Pacific.
Risk Factors and Mortality
Age is a significant risk factor, with incidence doubling for each decade after age 55. Men generally have a higher incidence than women until older ages, when women's rates increase. Risk factors include hypertension, diabetes, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, and atrial fibrillation.
Global Burden of Stroke
The global burden of stroke is increasing due to population aging and growth, though age-standardized rates have decreased in high-income countries due to better prevention and treatment. Prevention strategies focusing on modifiable risk factors remain crucial for reducing the worldwide impact of stroke, as supported by studies such as 2, 3, and 4.
Key Statistics
Some key statistics on stroke incidence and mortality include:
- Approximately 15 million people suffer from stroke each year globally, with 5 million deaths and another 5 million left permanently disabled, as reported in 2.
- The stroke burden is projected to rise from around 38 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) globally in 1990 to 61 million DALYs in 2020, as stated in 2.
- A large majority (80–90%) of stroke cases are caused by thrombotic or embolic events, as mentioned in 2.
From the Research
Global Incidence of Acute Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) or Stroke
- The global incidence of stroke is estimated to be around 12.2 million incident cases in 2019, with an uncertainty interval of 11.0-13.6 million cases 5.
- The number of incident strokes increased by 70.0% from 1990 to 2019, with the majority of the burden residing in lower-income and lower-middle-income countries (LMIC) 5, 6.
- The estimated global cost of stroke is over US$721 billion, which is 0.66% of the global GDP 6.
Stroke Burden by Region and Income Level
- The bulk of the global stroke burden (86.0% of deaths and 89.0% of DALYs) resides in lower-income and lower-middle-income countries (LMIC) 6.
- Upper-middle-income countries are projected to have the most severe stroke burden, followed by lower-middle-income countries, low-income countries, and high-income countries 7.
- The age-standardised stroke-related mortality rate is 3.6 times higher in the World Bank low-income group than in the World Bank high-income group, and the age-standardised stroke-related DALY rate is 3.7 times higher in the low-income group than the high-income group 5.
Projections of Stroke Burden
- Projections up to 2050 suggest that there will be 21.43 million stroke cases, 159.31 million survivors, 12.05 million deaths, and 224.86 million disability-adjusted life years due to stroke globally 7.
- The global age-adjusted stroke rates are expected to decline from 2021 to 2050, with a -7% decline in incidence, -4% decline in prevalence, -28% decline in deaths, and -28% decline in disability-adjusted life years 7.
- Men and older women worldwide are expected to bear a higher burden of stroke 7.