1. Stroke is the 5^th leading cause of death in the United States.

• In an average period of 40 seconds, one American experiences stroke and someone dies from it every 4 minutes.
• Each year, death of Americans from stroke is nearly 130,000.

2. Americans have the highest risk of stroke.

• The 3 major factors of stroke are smoking, high cholesterol level and high blood pressure.
• Almost half of the Americans have one or more of these factors.
• African-Americans are more likely to have stroke than whites mainly because of several health related issues and lifestyle behaviors

3.Stroke is the leading cause of adult severe disability.

• Stroke is sometimes referred as “brain attack”.
• Deprivation of oxygen that supplies the brain cells will cause a permanent brain damage.
• Brain is a single organ which affects the entire body.
• Without prompt treatment about 60 % of people who suffer a stroke have a moderate to severe impairment.
• About half of stroke survivors age 65 and above experiences a serious decline in mobility.
• Stroke can cause the loss of ability to talk normally, feed oneself, ability to walk and other activities of daily living.

4. Disability from stroke can be prevented.

• Stroke is a medical emergency.
• Knowing the symptoms and acting promptly can prevent serious disability from stroke.

5. Stroke can affect people of any age at any time.

• Interrupted blood supply to the brain due to clot will lead to stroke (ischemic stroke)
• Stroke may occur when there is leakage from blood vessel in the brain and cause damage (hemorrhagic stroke).
• Hypertension is one of the major factors of stroke.
• Early onset of hypertension can occur as early as the age of 18.
• Obesity is one of the contributory factors of uncontrolled hypertension among young people.

 6. Stroke has a higher mortality rate in women.

• Taking contraceptive pills and pregnancy increase women’s risk of stroke.
• Women who are at risk are middle aged and the risk doubles after menopause.
• Women are most likely to die from stroke.
• 6 out of 10 people who die from stroke are women.
• Reaching the hospital on time is critical. The patient should receive immediate treatment of not less than an hour.

7. The recurrence of stroke is more likely to occur 5 years after the first one.

• There are about 25% of people who experiences recurrence of stroke after 5 years.
• The first stroke anyone could experience is usually mild but the second stroke is known to be a serious one that can cause moderate to severe disability.

8. Patient has a higher susceptibility to many medical complications after a stroke.

• Complications may arise as a direct consequence from the brain injury (immobility).
• Other medical complications are pneumonia, cardiac related illness, fever, incontinence, thromboembolism and dysphagia.

9. Recovery and rehabilitation intervention is unique in each person.

• An individualized care plan is ideal for the recovery process of a stroke patient.
• Physical, speech and occupational therapy are essential in rehabilitation and recovery after a stroke.
• Health care workers can easily earn the cooperation of some patients while some are less keen in following the treatment and intervention.

10. Stroke can lead to depression.

• It is termed as post-stroke depression.
• Stroke survivors need rehabilitation for recovery, relearning to perform the basic skills of daily living a major transformation in one’s life can trigger depression.
• Depression greatly affects an individual’s behavior.
• Post stroke patient may become more irritable and may manifest a noticeable change in personality.
• Post stroke depression affects the functional recovery of stroke survivors.
• Joining a support group may help the patient’s adjustment to life.