Stroke

Overview

More than 750,000 Americans have a stroke each year. Although stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States, the risk of dying from a stroke has declined in the past 20 years. Better control of risk factors in preventing stroke and improved treatment options for those who have had a stroke are key contributors to the decline.

Mayo Clinic physicians have extensive experience and expertise treating patients who have had a stroke and other cerebrovascular disorders, as well as those at risk for stroke. As a multidisciplinary team, Mayo Clinic physicians are uniquely adept at diagnosing and treating stroke because the team consists of physicians from all the specialties involved in caring for stroke patients. Working together, each brings skills and knowledge to providing the best possible care for stroke and potential stroke patients.

Diagnosis

The ability to quickly determine the precise location of a stroke, the cause of the stroke and the amount of damage is essential for making treatment decisions. Physicians must quickly determine whether the stroke is ischemic or hemorrhagic before appropriate treatment can begin. In addition, other possible causes of stroke symptoms, such as a tumor, need to be ruled out.

Mayo Clinic is one of the leading medical centers in the United States. Mayo has state-of-the art equipment and experienced physicians in multiple specialties. These resources enable correct diagnosis and optimal management of stroke of all types, and the most current evaluation and treatment techniques for traditional and evolving stroke risk factors. Read more about diagnosis of stroke.

Treatment Options

There are two main types of stroke and each is treated differently.

• Ischemic stroke
• Hemorrhagic stroke

Generally, stroke has three treatment stages. Read more about treatment options for stroke.

• Treatment in Arizona
• Treatment in Florida
• Treatment in Minnesota

About Stroke

In the United States, stroke is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of adult disability; only cardiovascular disease and cancer cause more deaths annually. Every year about 750,000 Americans experience a stroke; about 160,000 die.

The good news is that fewer Americans now die of strokes than was the case 20 or 30 years ago. Improved control of major risk factors - smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol - are likely responsible for the decline.

Read more at
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