Stroke (Cerebrovascular Disease)

Stroke, at ~6.2 million annual deaths, is the leading cause of long-term disability globally. Over 1 in 4 adults over 25 will experience a stroke, with 87% being ischemic (blood clot) and 13% hemorrhagic (bleeding). Every minute without treatment destroys an estimated 1.9 million neurons, which is why the FAST test (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) and fast treatment matter for both survival and preserved brain function. It kills roughly 30% fewer people than heart disease, but disables a far larger share of its survivors.