Stroke Essay

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Stroke is an important leading cause of disability among adults in the United States. About 0.4% of people over the age of 45 years have a first stroke each year in the United States, Australia, and Europe. It is the second most common cause of death after myocardial infarction and is a leading cause of acquired disability. In some regions, the combined incidence of stroke and transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) exceeds the incidence of coronary vascular events.1 Despite advances in preventive strategies and initial therapy for stroke, nearly 800,000 strokes occur per year in the United States,1 and 87% of all strokes worldwide are ischemic in origin. 1 The risk of stroke is higher among men than among women, among blacks than among whites, and in older than in younger age groups. More than 85% of fatal strokes occur in low- and middle- income countries.2,3. In 2007, stroke accounted for 1 of every 18 deaths in the United States. The cost of related care is among the fastest-growing expenses for Medicare .1 The estimated direct medical cost of stroke in United States in 2007 was $25 b...

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