Every 3 seconds, someone, somewhere suffers a stroke

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^{*Data taken from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021}
 

Stroke is no longer just a disease of the elderly

As an HCP, you may have noticed that stroke is increasingly affecting younger people, with the rate of all types of stroke increasing globally ~50% faster in people under 55 years old compared to those 55 and older. What does this mean for healthcare systems worldwide, let alone the human cost in years of happy and healthy life lost?

Stroke pathophysiology

To appreciate why stroke can be so devastating, we need to understand how it affects the brain. Acute ischemic strokes (ICD10: 163) and transient ischemic attacks (TIA, ICD10: G45) occur when blood flow to part of the brain is reduced or blocked, typically due to a thromboembolism traveling to the brain or stenosis of a cerebral artery.

Lack of blood flow caused by these blockages leads to significant and often irreversible brain tissue damage, leading to the short- and long-term mental and physical consequences that make stroke so damaging.

The impact of a single stroke extends far beyond the initial event and patient. Survivors and care partners need to navigate complex emotional, physical, and financial challenges

Stroke is now the second leading cause of death globally and a major contributor to long-term disability and dementia.

Stroke dramatically increases the risk of cognitive decline. Ischemic stroke accelerates the onset of dementia and increases its incidence nearly fifty-fold among survivors.

Stroke leaves an emotional imprint on survivors, their families and care partners

At some point during their recovery, more than a quarter (27%) of stroke survivors will suffer from depression. In the first year after a stroke, patients commonly experience anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (29.3% and 18% of patients, respectively). Additionally, post-stroke emotionalism affects nearly a quarter of survivors and often persists long term.

Stroke survivors experience fatigue, and struggle with daily living

Many people need rehabilitation to regain their independence with everyday activities – feeding, bathing and dressing themselves, and climbing the stairs. They often also suffer with cognitive impairment and aphasia.

More than 40% of stroke patients experience persistent dysphagia (>2 weeks), which can significantly increase the risk of pneumonia, malnutrition, and dehydration. These complications lead to higher dependency among stroke survivors and a four-fold higher risk of dying.

Stroke can be a huge financial burden for healthcare systems and patients

Did you know that global healthcare costs exceed $891 billion annually?

Causes of stroke and TIA: Reducing the burden of stroke

Ten modifiable risk factors explain 90% of the risk of stroke. By making small but meaningful lifestyle adjustments, people can significantly lower their chances of having an ischemic stroke or TIA, protecting not only their health, but also the burden on families and healthcare systems.