Acute Ischemic Stroke Infographic

View the printable infographic (PDF)

 

Opportunities for Stroke Recovery Have Never Been Greater

Updated guidelines emphasize importance of quick action

Acute ischemic stroke infographic
  • About 795,000 Americans will have a new or recurrent stroke this year.
     
  • More than 690,000 per year U.S. strokes are caused when a clot cuts off blood flow to a part of the brain (called an ischemic stroke).
     
  • Stroke is the No. 4 cause of death in the United States, killing more than 165,000 per year.1 1 in 19 deaths.
     

Quick Treatment = Less Brain Damage!
Importance of Getting to the Hospital Quickly

Get to the hospital at the first sign of stroke so you can be evaluated and receive treatment in time. Stroke treatment begins in the ambulance. Calling 911 can help patients get treated more quickly and get them to a hospital that specializes in stroke care.

  • As soon as possible within 4.5 hours in select patients: either IV alteplase or tenecteplase
  • As soon as possible within up to 24 hours after stroke begins2 in select patients: mechanical thrombectomy 

Clot busters and clot-removal procedures must be administered within a few hours of stroke symptoms to lessen the chance of being disabled after a stroke.

Mechanical thrombectomy is a procedure that can physically remove a large blood clot from a blocked artery in the brain.

Call 911 at the first sign of stroke.
 


Learn and Share the Warning Signs of Stroke
Spot a Stroke F.A.S.T.

F – Face Drooping 
Does one side of the face droop or is it numb?

A – Arm Weakness
Is one arm weak or numb?

S – Speech Difficulty
Is speech slurred, are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand?

T – Time to Call 911
If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 911 and get to the hospital immediately.

 

1. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics - 2026 Update: A Report from the American Heart Association 2. Guidelines for the Early Management of Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke: 2019 Update to the 2018 Guidelines for the Early Management of Acute Ischemic Stroke

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