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Stroke

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Restricted blood flow and oxygen to the brain during a stroke can cause brain damage that may have serious physical, emotional and behavioral complications for survivors.

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Stroke Facts and Stats

Stroke is a primary yet often preventable cause of disability in the United States. Here’s what you need to know about stroke.

  • Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. One American dies from stroke every four minutes.
  • Every year, about 800,000 Americans experience a stroke; more than 600,000 of these are first-time victims.
  • People who get emergency medical treatment within four-and-a-half hours of their first stroke symptoms tend to have less disability three months later than those who delayed care.
  • Ischemic stroke, a clot or an obstruction within a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain, accounts for about 87 percent of all cases. Acute ischemic stroke can cause small vessel occlusion, which doctors treat with thrombolysis with intravenous t-PA. It can also cause large vessel occlusion, whose treatment includes mechanical thrombectomy with Stryker Trevo, Covidien Solitaire, Penumbra aspiration; or thrombolysis with intra-arterial t-PA.
  • A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when an artery in the brain leaks or ruptures. This can cause ruptured brain aneurysm, brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM), dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF), or subarachnoid hemorrhage-related vasospasm. Treatment includes endovascular embolization, coiling, microsurgical clipping, radiosurgery or balloon angioplasty.
  • African American stroke risk is nearly twice as high as Caucasian risk; Hispanic risk falls between those two groups.
  • When it comes to stroke, early intervention can save your life and reduce disability. Learn the signs of stroke so you can identify it and seek help right away. "BE FAST,” the acronym that stands for “Balance, Eyes, Face, Arm or Leg, Speech and Time.” If you notice that someone is experiencing loss of balance, blurred or double vision, facial droop, weakness or numbness in the arms or legs, or altered speech, call 911 immediately.
  • There are many risk factors for stroke that you can lower or treat through diet, medication or lifestyle changes. Those include smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, inactivity, high cholesterol, and fat and salt intake.

Patient Information

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Treating Stroke

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Life-Saving Stroke Care

Sutter’s 13 primary stroke centers throughout its network deliver timely, brain-saving treatments and care.

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Telestroke Program

Our Telestroke Program ensures you receive expert care across Northern California.

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Coming Back After Stroke

Our neurological rehabilitation specialists provide the assistance you need when recovering from a stroke.

Ask an Expert

Catherine A. Madison

Catherine A. Madison, M.D.

California Pacific Medical Center

How do I know if I have had a stroke?

A stroke results from lack of blood flow to the brain. This means that a region of cells is not able to work properly and can generate a variety of symptoms, depending on the brain area that has been affected. ... continue reading  about  How do I know if I have had a stroke?

Nobl Barazangi

Nobl Barazangi, M.D., Ph.D.

Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

What are the effects of hormone replacement therapy on a person who has a history of lacunar stroke?

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been shown to increase the risk of ischemic stroke (lacunar stroke is a subtype of ischemic stroke). Although the absolute risk of complications such as stroke is relativel... continue reading  about  What are the effects of hormone replacement therapy on a person who has a history of lacunar stroke?

Nobl Barazangi

Nobl Barazangi, M.D., Ph.D.

Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

What is a mini stroke? Are there any warning signs before it happens?

"Mini-stroke" is a term that commonly refers to the medical condition transient ischemic attack (TIA). TIA refers to loss of neurologic function that is transient (less than 24 hours). These occur due to blocka... continue reading  about  What is a mini stroke? Are there any warning signs before it happens?

Nobl Barazangi

Nobl Barazangi, M.D., Ph.D.

Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

My mom had a stroke about seven months ago. Although she is slowly recovering from it, she seems depressed to me. Is this just part of the recovery, or should I talk to her about it so that she can get some sort of treatment?

Depression is a common occurrence after stroke, and can occur in approximately 20-60 percent of stroke patients, depending on which research study you look at. The depressive symptoms may be in addition to the ... continue reading  about  My mom had a stroke about seven months ago. Although she is slowly recovering from it, she seems depressed to me. Is this just part of the recovery, or should I talk to her about it so that she can get some sort of treatment?

Nobl Barazangi

Nobl Barazangi, M.D., Ph.D.

Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

Is there anything I can do to lower my risk of having a stroke?

There are several things that a patient can do to prevent a stroke. First and foremost, make sure that you are following up with your primary doctor to ensure that all of your possible stroke risk factors are t... continue reading  about  Is there anything I can do to lower my risk of having a stroke?

Nobl Barazangi

Nobl Barazangi, M.D., Ph.D.

Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

My dad had a stroke two months ago. He is still having some trouble with walking and speaking. Can you tell me if a stroke victim can ever return to "normal"?

Every stroke patient is different, and each patient's recovery varies depending on several factors. We do know that intensive physical, occupational, and speech therapy can significanly impact and improve a pat... continue reading  about  My dad had a stroke two months ago. He is still having some trouble with walking and speaking. Can you tell me if a stroke victim can ever return to "normal"?

Nobl Barazangi

Nobl Barazangi, M.D., Ph.D.

Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

Migraine and stroke symptoms seem to overlap. How do I know I'm just having a migraine and not a stroke?

Some migraines can be associated with neurological symptoms such as weakness, numbness, tingling, vision and speech changes, and some strokes can be associated with headaches. Therefore, sometimes it is difficu... continue reading  about  Migraine and stroke symptoms seem to overlap. How do I know I'm just having a migraine and not a stroke?

Nobl Barazangi

Nobl Barazangi, M.D., Ph.D.

Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

What are the symptoms of a narrowing carotid artery in the neck?

Sometimes a carotid artery can narrow and be 'asymptomatic', meaning that the patient has no symptoms. Symptoms do vary from patient to patient. When symptoms do appear, they are usually the same symptoms as a ... continue reading  about  What are the symptoms of a narrowing carotid artery in the neck?

Nobl Barazangi

Nobl Barazangi, M.D., Ph.D.

Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

My dad had a stroke about a year ago and is doing better now, but it made me wonder - is there any way to prevent another one from happening (like a better diet, exercise)?

There are several things that a patient can do to prevent another stroke or TIA. First and foremost, the patient should make sure that they are following up with their primary doctor or neurologist, to ensure t... continue reading  about  My dad had a stroke about a year ago and is doing better now, but it made me wonder - is there any way to prevent another one from happening (like a better diet, exercise)?

Health and Wellness

BE FAST to Spot a Stroke

Discover more about how to spot a stroke.

With stroke, you need to BE FAST. Time is critical for a stroke victim. Each minute, two million brain cells die. Learn the signs of stroke, and use Sutter’s BE FAST materials to spread awareness.

Discover more about how to spot a stroke.

Doctor Profiles

The following doctors are part of the Sutter Health network. Learn about the doctors on this site
Frank H. Kim, M.D.

Frank H. Kim, M.D.

  • Neurology

Susan C. Eile, M.D.

Susan C. Eile, M.D.

  • Cardiovascular Disease

Steven Kang, M.D.

Steven Kang, M.D.

  • Cardiovascular Disease

Nabil K. Abudayeh, M.D.

Nabil K. Abudayeh, M.D.

  • Cardiovascular Disease

Eric L. Johnson, M.D.

Eric L. Johnson, M.D.

  • Cardiovascular Disease

  • Interventional Cardiology

Barry S. Mann, M.D.

Barry S. Mann, M.D.

  • Neurology

View All Related Doctors

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Stroke and Neurovascular Care

Sutter’s neurologists, neuroradiologists and neurological rehabilitation specialists provide expert diagnostics, treatment and rehabilitation for stroke and neurovascular disorders.

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