Facts about Stroke

According to the American Stroke Association:

• Over half of stroke deaths occur in women
• More men have strokes, but more women die from strokes
• Twice as many women die of stroke than breast cancer EVERY YEAR
• 700,000 people have a new or recurrent stroke each year
• Nearly three-quarters of all strokes occur in people over the age of 65 and the risk of stroke more than doubles each decade after the age of 55
• For African Americans, stroke is more common and more deadly - even in young and middle age adults - than for any ethnic or other racial group in the U.S.
• Half of all African American women will die from stroke or heart disease
• High blood pressure is the number one risk factor for stroke; 320,000 strokes can be prevented each year by controlling blood pressure
• Healthy food habits can help you reduce three risk factors for heart attack and stroke: high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure and excess body weight
• Nearly one in three U.S. adults has high blood pressure, but because there are no symptoms, nearly one-third don't know they have it
• If you combine the annual health dollars spent on heart disease and cancer, it is less than the money spent on stroke treatment ever year

Knowing stroke symptoms, calling 911 immediately and getting to a hospital are critical.