Stroke Facts and Figures

Minnesota Stroke Statistics

• Stroke is Minnesota’s 3rd leading cause of death behind cancer and heart disease

• In 2005, there were 37,498 deaths among Minnesota residents. Heart disease accounted for 7,915 deaths (21%), and stroke accounted for 2,372 (7%) deaths.

• Between 1991 and 2005, the overall stroke death rate declined approximately 27%.

  • Smaller declines in stroke deaths were experienced by African Americans (-16%), Asians (-21%), and Hispanics (-24%) than whites (-28%) – and the rate in American Indians actually rose (+3%).

• Disparities in stroke are a problem in Minnesota:

  • African American men have a 34% higher stroke death rate than white men, and African American women have a 61% higher stroke death rate than white women.

  • Asian Americans have an 11% higher stroke death rate than whites.

• The stroke mortality rate in Minnesota was 42 per 100,000 persons in 2005 and 50 per 100,000 in the United States in 2004 (latest available data).

• The stroke mortality rate has been declining in Minnesota and the nation; Minnesota’s stroke mortality rates have been lower than the national average since 1998

• In 2006, 1.9% of adults in Minnesota reported that a doctor had ever told them that they had a stroke which translates into an estimated 71,000 Minnesota adults (Table 4).

• Stroke was the principal reason for over 11,000 hospitalizations and $266 million in charges.

National Stroke Statistics*

• Stroke is America's 3rd leading cause of death

• Stroke is a leading cause of severe long term physical and mental disability

• Every 45 seconds someone in America has a stroke

• 700,000 Americans will have a stroke this year

• In 2004 the estimated direct and indirect cost of stroke is $53.6 billion

*Information from the American Stroke Association Website  
To learn more about stroke, visit the American Stroke Association website