Introduction to Stroke Management

Course overview

A stroke is defined as a brain attack, interfering with blood flow and oxygen to the brain. In the United States, stroke is the 3rd leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability. The estimated direct and indirect cost of stroke, for the year 2010, was $73.7 billion dollars. Fast forward nearly a decade, and that number grew to a global prevalence of stroke in 2019 of nearly 101.5 million people, with ischemic strokes occurring in nearly 77.8 million people. Additionally, there were a reported 6.6 million deaths attributable to cerebrovascular disease worldwide in 2019. Approximately 795,000 strokes occur yearly and can happen to anyone, regardless of race, gender, or age. An estimated two million brain cells die every minute during stroke, increasing the risk of permanent damage. According to the American Heart Association, stroke ranks No. 5 among all causes of death in the US, causing 147,810 deaths in 2018. Thus, it is important to be able to recognize the symptoms of a possible stroke and to seek immediate medical care to reduce the risk of death or non-reversible disability.