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Stroke

A stroke is essentially a heart attack in the brain. Sometimes called a "brain attack," a stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is cut off. Decreased blood flow and lack of oxygen can cause brain cells to die. Individuals with stroke symptoms should seek immediate emergency medical care to minimize their risk of serious disability or death.

• Strokes are the nation's leading cause of disability and the third leading cause of death.
• According to a study by the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, most people aren’t aware of the symptoms of strokes or the possible risk factors involved.
• Additional research by the same university reveals that the number of strokes in the United States is about 200,000 more than previously estimated. So instead of 500,000 strokes each year, it is more likely that there are around 700,000.
• Strokes are most common in people age 75 and older.
• Previous stroke victims have a high chance of experiencing a recurrent stroke that is often more disabling and deadly than the first.
• For those under age 65, African-Americans are two to four times more likely to have a stroke than Caucasians. This is attributed to a higher prevalence of hypertension and diabetes in African Americans.