Stroke

Epidemiology

Each year stroke affects approximately 2000 peopleper million worldwide. Of these, one-third will recover completely from their attack, one-third will die over the following year, and the remaining third will be left permanently disabled. Stroke occurs in all age groups across the world, although the risk increases markedly with age - 90% of all stroke cases are in people who are 55 or older. Across Europe, there are big differences in the number of people affected by stroke each year; more people are affected in Scotland than England, and considerably fewer people are affected in Switzerland. The disorder is associated with several risk factors, many of which are treatable. These include hypertension, smoking, diabetes, high alcohol intake (a low daily intake of alcohol may be protective), poor diet, excessive weight, heart disease, previous stroke or TIAs.