Mind Your Risks℠ and Act FAST to Prevent and Treat Strokes

Every four minutes, an American dies from a stroke. Though we have come a long way in the prevention and treatment of stroke, it is still the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of adult disability. Of the nearly 800,000 people in the United States who suffer from strokes each year, about 75% survive, and stroke care is estimated to cost over $33 billion annually. Risk factors like uncontrolled high blood pressure remain common, and rising obesity rates threaten progress. The good news is that many risks, including high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol, and diabetes, can be reduced with healthy lifestyle changes and medication. When a stroke occurs, knowing the signs and acting quickly can improve the chance of a full recovery.

To reduce treatment times and improve clinical outcomes for stroke, it is important to develop integrated systems for prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. Programs like the Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Program encourage the development of such systems statewide. CDC also works with national partners like the American Heart Association and the Joint Commission to implement guidelines that improve stroke prevention and care at healthcare facilities across the country.

This session of Grand Rounds discusses how public health programs and healthcare providers are working together across the nation to identify and reduce stroke risks, and to improve the quality of stroke care and treatment.