Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and the primary cause of disabilities in adults. Throughout the country, strokes occur at the rate of one per minute. More than 700,000 Americans experience a stroke each year and more than 157,000 of those will die. The estimated cost of stroke to the nation each year is 57.9 billion dollars.

Strokes can occur at any age (even before birth). However, people over age 65 experience almost three fourths of all strokes. The death rate from stroke in African Americans is almost double that of Caucasians.