CDC - DHDSP - Stroke Home

A couple riding bikes together. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. About 137,000 Americans die of stroke every year.¹

A stroke, sometimes called a brain attack, occurs when a clot blocks the blood supply to the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. You can greatly reduce your risk for stroke through lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medication.

Stroke can cause death or significant disability, such as paralysis, speech difficulties, and emotional problems. Some new treatments can reduce stroke damage if patients get medical care soon after symptoms begin. When a stroke happens, it is important to recognize the symptoms, call 9-1-1 right away, and get to a hospital quickly.

Learn About Stroke

Educational Materials

Facts & Statistics

Grantee Information

Featured Items

Strategies from the Field Cover Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Registry—Strategies from the Field
Each Coverdell-funded state has identified unique ways to meet the goals and objectives of the Coverdell program. This document outlines creative approaches developed by states and highlights lessons learned. The information can be used by Coverdell-funded states as well as states not funded by Coverdell but are interested in implementing a stroke registry.

Food full of sodium. Most Americans Should Consume Less Sodium
Most of the sodium we consume is in the form of salt. Too much sodium is bad for your health. It can increase your blood pressure and your risk for a heart attack or stroke. Heart disease and stroke are the first and third killers of men and women in the United States each year.

2008 Stroke Hospitalization Atlas for Medicare Beneficiaries
The 2009–2010 flu season is upon us and many people are likely to get ill with either the usual seasonal flu or 2009 H1N1 flu. People with heart disease, cardiovascular disease, or who have had a stroke are at increased risk of having medical complications of flu. This information is intended to help this group prevent getting seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu.

Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Registry
Each year more than 700,000 Americans suffer from a stroke; about 25% of them die at the time of the event, or soon after, and 15–30% remain permanently disabled. More than 1 million Americans and their families live with the disabling effects of stroke.

Reference

Heron MP, Hoyert DL, Murphy SL, Xu JQ, Kochanek KD, Tejada-Vera B. Deaths: Final data for 2006, [PDF–5.3M] National Vital Statistics Reports 2009;57(14):1–15.