There is a significant range of risk of stroke based on nationality, and Americans are in the middle. Over the past 20 years, there has been an approximate 30 percent reduction in the risk of stroke in Americans. Although the explanation for this reduction is not agreed upon, it is likely that the reduction is due to better control of high blood pressure, which occurs in approximately one third of Americans. Those Americans, who live a healthy life style and control risk factors, can reduce their stroke risk to among the lowest populations in the world. We have access not only to drugs and treatments to control risk factors, but also to therapy such as dissolving agents and surgery, which are not as readily available in other parts of the world.
Stroke is among the most significant health problems in America.
It is the third leading cause of death and the most common cause of severe disability in the United States. However, it is a disease that can be prevented in many patients by controlling risk factors. However, since most those of us, who are fortunate enough to live a long life, will develop hardening of the arteries. When this occurs, early attention to the warning signs of stroke can lead to a rapid evaluation and treatment before significant parts of the brain are damaged. The surgical procedure carotoid endraterectomy and the use of dissolving agents has opened up new avenues of treatment which can also significantly reduce the likelihood of stroke and even treat patients who have had a stroke.