Stroke Statistics

Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. More than 143,579 people die each year from stroke in the United States.

Stroke is the leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States.

Each year, about 795,000 people suffer a stroke. About 600,000 of these are first attacks, and 185,000 are recurrent attacks.

Strokes can, and do, occur at any age. Approximately one quarter of strokes occur in people under the age of 65.

Stroke death rates are higher for African Americans than for whites, even at younger ages.

Sources: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics - 2010 Update, published by the American Heart Association.