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Stroke occurs when a blood vessel feeding the brain bursts or is clogged, causing a sudden disruption in the blood flow to the brain.
Stroke is the third leading killer in the United States, resulting in the following statistics annually:
- 750,000+ victims
- 160,000 deaths (3rd leading cause of death)
- 266,000 survivors with permanent disabilities
- 30,000 new permanent admissions to nursing homes
- Over 4 million living survivors of stroke
- Every 45 seconds in the USA, someone has a stroke
- Huge economic impact with costs of $40-$70 billion per year
Carotid artery disease is the leading cause of strokes. More than 50% of stroke victims present no warning signs. After the age of 55, the risk of stroke doubles every 10 years. Most significantly, 97% of the adult population cannot name a single warning sign of a stroke.
When the carotid arteries become blocked with plaque (atherosclerotic plaque), blood flow to the brain is compromised.
More Info: Learn how we screen for Strokes and Carotid Artery Disease.
