ABOUT STROKE

Stroke is a leading cause of death and long-term disability in the U.S. Nearly 800,000 people in the U.S. have a stroke every year, taking the lives of about 140,000 annually.

There are two kinds of stroke: ischemic (clot) and hemorrhagic (bleeding).

The vast majority of strokes — 87 percent — are ischemic strokes. Of patients with ischemic strokes, about half experience a severe stroke known as emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO). This means that a clot is blocking a large vessel and cutting off significant blood flow to the brain. ELVO stroke is the deadliest type and is responsible for the greatest proportion of patients with long-term disability.

Neuroendovascular stroke surgery, or thrombectomy, is a minimally invasive procedure that re-establishes blood flow to the brain quickly and improves the chances that a patient will not only survive a stroke, but will make a full recovery.

87%

The number of strokes that are ischemic, caused by a clot in the brain

5 years

The improved life expectancy of patients who receive thrombectomy compared to those who do not

1000s of lives

Thrombectomy can reduce stroke mortality by half, meaning thousands more people can walk away from stroke if they get the appropriate care

Less than 1/3

of ischemic stroke patients receive thrombectomy

Facts About Stroke

  • MYTH

    If it’s not that bad, it’s not a stroke.

    FACT

    Some of the symptoms of stroke are dramatic, like facial paralysis or slurred speech. Others are more easily brushed off or attributed to something else, like loss of balance or blurred vision. The important thing is not to second guess yourself if you’re noticing something is unusual with yourself or someone you are with. Call 911.

  • MYTH

    If I’m under age 50 and in good health, what I’m experiencing can’t be a stroke.

    FACT

    Strokes can happen to people of all ages—teenagers, toddlers, even babies. Never take stroke off the table as a possible diagnosis, no matter your age or health. Stroke doesn’t discriminate.

  • MYTH

    You are better off having someone drive you to the hospital, especially if you live close to one.

    FACT

    Hospitals prioritize patients who come by ambulance. During transport, EMS can begin triage and treatment and determine the most appropriate facility for your condition. They also work with the hospital to make sure the right care team is available and ready to go when you get there.

  • MYTH

    You can’t survive a stroke without a severe disability.

    FACT

    Strokes are survivable even when they’re severe, if you get to appropriate treatment quickly (for severe strokes, this means a Level 1 stroke center; hospitals that provide a similar level of care are also known as comprehensive stroke centers). Major medical advances have allowed patients at every age to make a full recovery and get back to their loved ones.

Get Ahead of Stroke® is a national public education and advocacy campaign designed to improve systems of care for stroke patients. Founded in 2016 by the Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery (SNIS), today the campaign is supported by a coalition of organizations with the goal of securing the best possible outcomes for stroke patients by driving policy change and public awareness nationwide.

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