Strokes are 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:
- Ischemic stroke: The most common type of stroke, ischemic strokes result from a clot that prevents oxygen-rich blood from flowing into the brain.
- Hemorrhagic stroke: This type of stroke is due to blood vessels bleeding or rupturing. The bleeding puts pressure on brain cells and leads to brain cell death.
- Transient ischemic attack (TIA): This is known as a ministroke. These differ from the other two strokes because symptoms usually last for only a few minutes to an hour.
Stroke Signs and Symptoms
Stroke symptoms may include:
- Severe headache that occurs out of the blue
- Facial drooping
- Numbness and/or weakness of the legs, arms, and/or face (particularly on one side)
- Vision issues in one or both eyes
- Confusion, difficulty understanding speech, and trouble speaking
- Difficulty walking, sudden incoordination, or loss of balance
Call 911 immediately if you notice any of the following "FAST" signs of a stroke:
- F = Face drooping, including numbness and one-sided drooping
- A = Arm weakness, including weakness and numbness, especially on one side
- S = Speech slurring or difficulty
- T = Time to call 911 fast and let the dispatcher know the time that symptoms began
1:30
Think FAST With a Stroke
Prognosis
Stroke
Stroke survivors will spend some time in the hospital to recover and rehabilitate. Many will require long-term physical, occupational, and speech therapy and need disability assistance.
Having access to certain treatments, such as tissue plasminogen activator, improves the chances of recovering from a stroke. The chances of preventing another stroke from occurring are improved by treating the underlying cause of the stroke, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and more.
How Stroke Is Treated
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
Even though the effects of a TIA appear to be temporary, they should be taken seriously because they are often followed by major strokes in the future. The chance of having another stroke within 90 days of a TIA is 17%, with the highest risk of occurrence during the first week.
Life Expectancy
Stroke
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:
- The person's age
- Their overall health
- Stroke severity
People with cerebrovascular 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.
Ministroke
Ministrokes are not life-threatening by themselves, as they lead to a full recovery in the short term. However, they are a sign of potentially significant health problems that put a person at a much higher risk of having a major stroke in the future.
Anyone who has stroke symptoms—even temporarily—needs to seek medical care as soon as possible.
Side Effects
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:
- Complete paralysis or weakness on one side of the body
- Cognitive problems and issues with awareness, thinking, attention, memory, learning, and judgment
- Speech difficulties and problems understanding speech
- Emotional issues and depression
- Strange sensations and numbness of the extremities
Recovery
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:
- Speech therapist:Helps stroke patients who have difficulty speaking or understanding speech
- Physical therapist: Helps stroke patients with exercises that help them relearn physical movement and coordination
- Occupational therapist:Helps stroke patients with activities of daily living, such as dressing, bathing, eating, drinking, reading, and writing
Many stroke patients also struggle with depression, 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 After a Stroke
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:
- Difficulty with memory, thinking, awareness, attention, learning, and judgment
- Difficulty with speaking or understanding speech
- Trouble controlling or expressing emotions
- Bladder and bowel control issues
- Paralysis, weakness, or numbness (or all three) on one side
- Extremity pain, especially in the hands or feet and especially in cold weather
- Difficulty with chewing or swallowing
- Depression and anxiety
Rehabilitation can help stroke victims regain their strength and help them feel more confident completing everyday tasks.
Coping With Stroke
Summary
A stroke occurs when oxygen-rich blood flow to the brain becomes blocked by a clot or a blood vessel bleed. Post-stroke prognosis and life expectancy depend on several factors, including the type of stroke, its severity, the person's age, and overall health. Stroke survivors are also at risk of having another stroke in the following years.
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 circ*mstances. You might find it helpful to gather a support network that understands your stroke recovery struggles.
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you prevent a stroke?
You can help prevent stroke by controlling any health conditions you may have and making healthy lifestyle choices, including:
- Eating a healthy diet
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Being physically activity
- Not smoking
- Drinking little or no alcohol
Is a heatstroke the same as a brain stroke?
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.
A brain stroke occurs when oxygen-rich blood flow to the brain becomes blocked by a clot or a blood vessel bleed.
How are high blood pressure and strokes related?
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 our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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By Sarah Jividen, RN
Jividen is a freelance healthcare journalist. She has over a decade of direct patient care experience working as a registered nurse specializing in neurotrauma, stroke, and the emergency room.
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