Facts About Stroke

4/23/02

Stroke survivors may experience devastating consequences such as difficulty speaking and understanding, as well as difficulty reading, writing, walking, swallowing and driving. Many are unable to return to work, and may have limited interaction with others.

Additional facts about stroke:

• Stroke, or brain attack, is the third leading cause of death in the United States.
• Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability. Four million Americans are living with the effects of stroke.
• Every 45 seconds in the United States, someone experiences a stroke.
• Stroke is more deadly than breast cancer. Stroke kills more than twice as many American women every year as breast cancer.
• Stroke costs the United States $30 billion annually. Direct costs, such as hospitals, physicians and rehabilitation, add up to $17 billion. Indirect costs, such as lost productivity, add up to $13 billion.
• The average cost per patient for the first 90 days post-stroke is between $15,000 and $35,000.

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For Further Information Contact:

Karen Treat
Senior Copywriter
Tel: (940) 898-3456
e-mail: ktreat@twu.edu