(NewsNation) — A stroke, sometimes called a brain attack, occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or ruptures.
When that happens, parts of the brain become damaged or die. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a stroke can lead to lasting brain damage, long-term disability and even death.
The two types of stroke are ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. A transient ischemic attack, sometimes called a mini-stroke or a warning stroke, occurs when blood flow to the brain is usually blocked for no more than five minutes.
Most strokes are ischemic strokes, caused by blood clots or other particles blocking the blood vessels to the brain. Plaque buildup in blood vessels can also cause blockages.
A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when an artery in the brain leaks blood or ruptures, causing the leaked blood to put large amounts of pressure on brain cells and leading to damage.
How many people are impacted?
Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death for Americans and a leading cause of long-term disability. Each year, approximately 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke — 610,000 of which are first-time strokes.
About 185,000, or nearly one in four, of those cases are people who have had a previous stroke.
While strokes affect people from all backgrounds, risks vary by race and ethnicity. The risk of having a first-time stroke is nearly twice as high for non-Hispanic Black adults as the risk for white adults. Non-Hispanic Black adults and Pacific Islander adults have the highest death rates from stroke.
Are risks of stroke increasing?
A report from the CDC shows strokes are increasing in Americans under 65.
From 2011 to 2013 compared with 2020 to 2022, stroke prevalence in the U.S. increased by nearly 8% among adults 18 to 64 years old.
The increase has been paralleled by those in obesity and high blood pressure in the same age group. Both conditions have been linked to an increased risk of stroke.