Stroke (Cerebrovascular Disease)

Stroke, the #2 killer at ~6.2 million annual deaths, is the leading cause of long-term disability globally and demands quicker intervention than Ischaemic Heart Disease. Over 1 in 4 adults over 25 will experience a stroke, with 87% being ischemic (blood clot) and 13% hemorrhagic (bleeding). Critically, every minute without treatment destroys 1.9 million neurons—a rate of damage unmatched by any other cause on this list. The FAST test (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) saves lives, and while it kills 30% fewer people than heart disease, it disables survivors at a higher rate.