Stroke

September 30, 2014 | Technology Forecasts

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Stroke is an acute interruption of normal brain circulation.1 Lack of blood flow can cause brain cells to die, which impairs the corresponding functions controlled by those cells. Stroke is identified by two main types. The most common, ischemic stroke, results from a blocked artery. The other type, hemorrhagic stroke, occurs when a blood vessel in the brain leaks or bursts.2 Transient ischemic attack (TIA), a related condition sometimes called "mini-stroke," occurs when blood flow to the brain is temporarily obstructed and does not cause any lasting damage.3

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds and every 4 minutes someone dies from a stroke.4 CDC estimates that about 795,000 people have a stroke each year in the United States; about 610,000 of these are first attacks. Most strokes are ischemic (87%), with about 13% being classified as hemorrhagic.2,5 The American Heart Association reports that stroke is the fourth leading cause of death—accounting for about 130,000 deaths annually—and a leading cause of long-term disability in the United States. Although more men experience stroke, women are more likely to die of stroke. An individual's risk of stroke doubles each decade after age 55 years,...

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