Stroke is one of the leading causes of death across the globe. In a recent examination of death statistics, the World Health Organization found that stroke was responsible for the third most deaths in 2021. Notably, the WHO analysis found that stroke was the leading cause of death in upper-middleincome countries. In that same year, stroke was the second leading cause of death in lowincome countries and the third leading cause of death in low-middle- income countries. Stroke was the thirdleading cause of death in high-income countries, which includes the United States and Canada. The threat posed by stroke is indeed significant, and McLaren Health Care cites the following statistics in an effort to raise awareness of this potentially deadly but often preventable disease.
• 15 million people have a stroke across the globe each year.
• Three in five, or 60 percent, of strokes occur in people under age 70.
• 16 percent, or roughly one in six, of strokes occur in people under age 50.
• Five million people die from stroke each year.
• Four in five strokes are preventable.
• 38 percent of people are aware of all major stroke symptoms.
Raising awareness of stroke and its symptoms can spur immediate action that can greatly reduce the likelihood of negative outcomes, which can include death, paralysis and brain damage. Adults are urged to contact their physician to identify their risk factor for stroke and to learn how to spot its symptoms and what should be done should any signs appear.
