Source Link: Pennsylvania Department of Health
There are different kinds of stroke: Ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, and transient ischemic attack (mini-stroke). Most strokes (85 percent) are ischemic strokes. These strokes occur when an artery to the brain becomes blocked, usually by a blood clot. Hemorrhagic strokes result from leakage or rupture of an artery in the brain. A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is different from a major stroke because blockage of blood flow is temporary (usually no more than 5 min.). A TIA is a warning sign of a future stroke. Stroke death rate (per 100,000) (age-adjusted to 2000 std population)
Why is this indicator important? - Many risk factors contributing to stroke are behavioral, and thus targets for stroke prevention (e.g., high fat and salty diets, lack of exercise, overweight, drinking alcohol, using tobacco). Certain racial and ethnic populations have higher risk for stroke (i.e., blacks, Hispanics/Latinos, American Indians, and Alaska Natives). Both men and women are susceptible to stroke. Strokes are more common in men, but death due to stroke is more common in women. The chance of having a stroke doubles every 10 years after age 55. Gender has mixed associations. Strokes are more common for men, but women are more likely to die from stroke than are men. Blacks, Hispanics/Latinos, American Indians, and Alaska Natives have a greater chance of having a stroke than do non- Hispanic whites or Asians. The risk of having a first stroke is nearly twice as high for blacks than for whites. Blacks are also more likely to die from stroke than are whites.