Facts,Myth And Figures About Stroke

1. Stroke facts

   Although stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in America and a leading cause of adult disability, many myths surround this disease. Test how much you know about stroke today

   MYTH	FACT
   MYTH: Stroke cannot be prevented.	FACT: Up to 80 percent of strokes are preventable.
   MYTH: There is no treatment for stroke.	FACT: At any sign of stroke call 9-1-1- immediately. Treatment may be available.
   MYTH: Stroke only affects the elderly.	FACT: Stroke can happen to anyone at any time.
   MYTH: Stroke happens in the heart.	FACT: Stroke is a “brain attack”.
   MYTH: Stroke recovery only happens for the first few months after a stroke.	FACT: Stroke recovery is a lifelong process.
   MYTH: Strokes are rare.	FACT: There are nearly 7 million stroke survivors in the U.S. Stroke is the 5th leading cause of death in the U.S.
   MYTH: Strokes are not hereditary.	FACT: Family history of stroke increases your chance for stroke.
   MYTH: If stroke symptoms go away, you don’t have to see a doctor.	FACT: Temporary stroke symptoms are called transient ischemic attacks (TIA). They are warning signs prior to actual stroke and need to be taken seriously.

   Stroke is one of Australia’s biggest killers and a leading cause of disability.

1. 1 in 6 people will have a stroke in their lifetime. These people are someone’s sister, brother, wife, husband, daughter, son, partner, mother, father… friend. Behind the numbers are real lives.
2. In 2015 there will be more than 50,000 new and recurrent strokes – that is 1000 strokes every week or one stroke every 10 minutes.
3. In 2012 there were nearly130,000 or 30% of stroke survivors under the age of 65 in the community. [In 2012 there were over 420,000 people living with the effects of stroke and 30% of these people were of working age.]
4. In 2015 there will be almost 440,000 people living with the effects of stroke. This is predicted to increase to 709,000 in 2032.
5. Stroke kills more women than breast cancer and more men than prostate cancer.
6. 65% of those living with stroke also suffer a disability that impedes their ability to carry out daily living activities unassisted.
7. In 2012, the total financial costs of stroke in Australia were estimated to be $5 billion.
8. The estimate of $49.3 billion in burden of disease costs for stroke is comparable to the $41 billion burden of disease costs that Deloitte Access Economics estimated for anxiety and depression in 2010.
9. The FAST test is an easy way to recognise and remember the signs of stroke. Using the FAST test involves asking these simple questions:

Face Check their face. Has their mouth drooped?

Arm Can they lift both arms?

Speech Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?