Stroke is the third most common cause of death, after cancer and ischemic heart disease.
It is also the most prominent cause of physical deformity
Stroke has a yearly incidence of 180-300 per 100,000, in the United States.
Its incidence is accelerating in developing countries due to unhealthy lifestyles.
2/3 of stroke victims are above 60 years old.
1/5 of the victims die within a month of its occurrence. Half the survivors become physically deformed.
A damage in the left side of the brain may result in paralysis of the right side of the body; a damage on the right side, paralyzes the left side.
Hypertension accounts for 30-50% of stroke risk.
Patients with diabetes mellitus are 2-3 times more predisposed to stroke.
Stroke can occur due to a disruption in blood supply or due to a blood vessel damage.
