The Known and Unknown of Stroke Infographic
The Known and Unknown of Stroke
Download The Known and Unknown of Stroke Infographic (PDF)
Known
Each year 795,000 people in the U.S. have a stroke.1
Types of Stroke
Stroke is an interruption of blood flow to the brain. Without oxygen-rich blood, brain cells die.
Ischemic occurs when a clot or mass blocks a blood vessel, cutting off blood flow to a part of the brain.1
87% (Ischemic Stroke) 13% (Hemorrhagic Stroke)
Hemorrhagic occurs when a weakened blood vessel, like an aneurysm, ruptures and spills blood into the brain. 1
Finding the cause and secondary stroke risk factors are important because it helps your doctor develop a plan personalized for you to prevent another stroke.
Unknown
Possible Hidden Causes
While some patients may continue to have the cause of their stroke unknown, a cause or secondary stroke risk factors may be revealed with further testing.
Irregular heartbeat (Atrial Fibrillation) AFib patients are at a 5x greater risk for stroke.1
Heart structure problem (such as Patent Foramen Ovale)
Hardening of the arteries (Large Artery Atherosclerosis)
Blood clotting disorder (Thrombophilia)
Find the facts at stroke.org/unknowncause
1 - Virani SS, Alonso A, Aparicio HJ, et al. on behalf of the AHA Statistics Committee and SS SubcommitteHeart disease and stroke statistics-2021 update. Circulation. 2021;143:e254-e743
2 - Kleindorfer DO, Towfighi, Chaturvedi S, et al. 2021 Guideline for the Prevention of Stroke in Patients with Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack: A Guideline from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke. 2021;52:e364–e467.