Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSigns and SymptomsPrognosisLife ExpectancySide EffectsRecoveryLife After a StrokeFAQ
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Signs and Symptoms
Prognosis
Life Expectancy
Side Effects
Recovery
Life After a Stroke
FAQ
Strokesare the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of long-term disability.Every year in the United States, about 795,000 people have strokes and 137,000 of those people die. Of the people having a stroke in any year, 185,000 have survived a stroke in the previous five years.
Survival rates for stroke depend on many factors, including the type of stroke, its severity, the treatment used, your age, and overall health.
This article reviews the prognosis, life expectancy, and side effects of strokes, and what life can look like after a stroke.
Types of Stroke
The three main types of stroke are:
Stroke Signs and Symptoms
Stroke symptomsmay include:
Call 911 immediately if you notice any of the following"FAST" signs of a stroke:
1:30Think FAST With a Stroke
1:30
Think FAST With a Stroke
Stroke
Stroke survivors will spend some time in the hospital to recover and rehabilitate. Many will require long-termphysical,occupational, and speech therapy and need disability assistance.
How Stroke Is Treated
Stroke RecurrenceStroke survivors are at risk of having another stroke. About one in four stroke survivors will have another one within the following five years.
Stroke Recurrence
Stroke survivors are at risk of having another stroke. About one in four stroke survivors will have another one within the following five years.
Ministroke
Hemorrhagic stroke has a 40% to 50% death rate in the first 30 days after the event, which is double the rate of ischemic stroke.
A 2021 study in Sweden found that about 66% of people who had a first-time ischemic stroke survived past the three-year mark. Survival factors included:
People withcerebrovascular disease(a group of conditions affecting blood flow and blood vessels in the brain) and heart disease were most likely to die before the three-year mark.
A 2018 study indicated that the type of stroke also plays a role in life expectancy after a stroke. At 5 years, death or physical dependency occurred for 79% of people who had a hemorrhagic stroke and 70.6% of people who had an ischemic stroke.
Statistics also show that age is a significant factor in long-term survival after a stroke. People age 85 and older have the highest death rate: the risk of dying is 13 times higher than people 65 to 74 years old. And the risk of dying is three times higher for people ages 75 to 84 compared to people 65 to 74 years old.
Anyone who has stroke symptoms—even temporarily—needs to seek medical care as soon as possible.
Strokes can lead to physical, emotional, and behavioral challenges.
Stroke survivors have residual health issues of the brain and body. Common disabilities that remain include:
Stroke type and severity will determine the kind of recovery a person requires. Rehabilitation may include working with a few different types of specialists, including:
Many stroke patients also struggle withdepression,anxiety, and other mental health issues.Therapy or support groups can help stroke victims come to terms with their prognosis and adjust to a new normal after a stroke.
Talk with your healthcare provider to find stroke support groups and mental health providers specializing in stroke recovery.
Post-Stroke Rehabilitation Programs You May Need
Life may feel daunting in the weeks and months following a stroke. Some people recover more quickly. However, others may require months to years of rehabilitation.
Some of the residual effects of a stroke that patients may have include:
Rehabilitation can help stroke victims regain their strength and help them feel more confident completing everyday tasks.
Coping With Stroke
Summary
A stroke is a frightening and challenging life event. Coping with the long-term effects may seem overwhelming or discouraging at times. Know that there are healthcare professionals, treatments, and resources available that can help.
Work with your healthcare providers to manage symptoms, relearn skills, and find ways to adapt to your new circumstances. You might find it helpful to gather a support network that understands your stroke recovery struggles.
A Word From VerywellReducing the risk of stroke involves managing key health factors and making healthy lifestyle choices. This includes lowering blood pressure, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, eating a heart-healthy diet, quitting smoking, managing blood sugar, and limiting alcohol.—SMITA PATEL, DO, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
Reducing the risk of stroke involves managing key health factors and making healthy lifestyle choices. This includes lowering blood pressure, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, eating a heart-healthy diet, quitting smoking, managing blood sugar, and limiting alcohol.—SMITA PATEL, DO, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Reducing the risk of stroke involves managing key health factors and making healthy lifestyle choices. This includes lowering blood pressure, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, eating a heart-healthy diet, quitting smoking, managing blood sugar, and limiting alcohol.
—SMITA PATEL, DO, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A heatstroke is an illness that occurs when the body’s temperature rises rapidly and the body is unable to control its temperature. During a heatstroke, the body’s sweating mechanism fails and is unable to cool itself.
Most people who have a first-time stroke also have high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure damages blood vessels in the body and brain, making them more likely to clog or burst. Managing hypertension is an essential way to help reduce your risk of stroke.
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Stroke.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Stroke signs and symptoms.
American Stroke Association.Stroke symptoms.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Recovery.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment and intervention.
Woo D, Comeau ME, Venema SU, et al.Risk factors associated with mortality and neurologic disability after intracerebral hemorrhage in a racially and ethnically diverse cohort. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(3):e221103.doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.1103
Aked J, Delavaran H, Lindgren AG.Survival, causes of death and recurrence up to 3 years after stroke: A population-based study.Eur J Neurol. 2021;28(12):4060-4068. doi:10.1111/ene.15041
Sennfält S, Norrving B, Petersson J, Ullberg T.Long-term survival and function after stroke: a longitudinal observational study from the swedish stroke register.Stroke. 2019;50(1):53-61. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.118.022913
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Stroke overview.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing stroke.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing heat-related illness.
American Heart Association.How high blood pressure can lead to stroke.
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