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Stroke is one of Australia's biggest killers, claiming the lives of around 10,600 Australians every year. In 2023, there were an estimated 45,785 stroke events in Australia, equating to one stroke every 11 minutes. The rate of stroke is higher among males, with an estimated 21,600 stroke events among males and 19,100 among females in 2021. The rates of stroke-related deaths have dropped significantly over the last 30 years, but it still remains a leading cause of death in the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of stroke events in 2021 | 40,700 |
| Number of stroke events in 2023 | 45,785 |
| Number of stroke events among males in 2021 | 21,600 |
| Number of stroke events among females in 2021 | 19,100 |
| Number of hospitalisations with stroke as the primary diagnosis in 2021-22 | 66,800 |
| Number of deaths caused by stroke in 2022 | 8,400 |
| Percentage of all deaths caused by stroke in 2022 | 4.4% |
| Percentage of cardiovascular disease deaths caused by stroke in 2022 | 19% |
| Number of Australians who suffer a stroke each year | 40,000-56,000 |
| Number of Australians who die of stroke each year | 8,400-10,600 |
| Number of stroke survivors in Australia | 440,481-475,000 |
| Number of stroke survivors with disabilities | ~237,500 |
| Number of Australians who have had a heart attack | 430,000 |
| Number of Australians who suffer a heart attack each year | 57,000 |
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Stroke rates and fatalities
Stroke is one of Australia's biggest killers. It kills more women than breast cancer and more men than prostate cancer. In 2021, there were an estimated 40,700 stroke events in Australia, equating to more than 112 every day. This figure rose to an estimated 45,785 stroke events in 2023, or one stroke every 11 minutes. In 2021, the rate of stroke events was 159 per 100,000 population, with an estimated 21,600 strokes among males and 19,100 among females. The age-standardised rate of stroke events fell by 27% between 2001 and 2021, from 169 to 124 events per 100,000 population. The decline was slightly greater for females (29%) than males (25%).
In 2022, stroke was the underlying cause of 8,400 deaths (4.4% of all deaths and 19% of cardiovascular disease deaths). Around 10,600 Australians die of stroke each year, and one in five people will die within 28 days of a stroke. One in three will die within a year. The specific abilities that will be lost or affected by a stroke depend on the extent of the brain damage and where in the brain the stroke occurred. The right hemisphere of the brain, for example, controls the movement of the left side of the body, so a stroke in the right hemisphere often causes paralysis on the left side of the body.
Stroke incidence rates are higher among First Nations people. In Western Australia between 1997 and 2002, the rate was 2.6 times higher for First Nations males and three times higher for First Nations females than for the non-Indigenous population. First Nations people also have disproportionately high rates of heart disease, the leading cause of death in this community. Hospitalisation rates for rheumatic heart disease are more than six times higher for Indigenous than non-Indigenous people.
The prevalence of stroke is also higher among people living in the lowest socioeconomic areas. In 2018, the prevalence of self-reported stroke was higher among males across all remoteness and socioeconomic areas. More than 80% of strokes can be prevented. Lowering blood pressure and cholesterol can help prevent strokes, and a recent trial showed significantly lower stroke rates among patients assigned to a Mediterranean-style diet.
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Risk factors
While a stroke can happen to anyone at any age, certain risk factors increase the chances of having one. It is important to understand these risk factors to protect oneself and one's loved ones from a stroke.
Medical conditions that increase the risk of stroke include high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, heart valve disease, carotid artery disease, sleep apnea, kidney disease, and migraine headaches. High blood pressure is a leading cause of stroke, and it often has no symptoms, so it is important to get it checked regularly. Similarly, a blood test can determine if you have high cholesterol. Lifestyle choices and habits also contribute to stroke risk. These include smoking, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, excessive alcohol consumption, high stress levels, and the use of illegal drugs such as cocaine.
Some risk factors are beyond one's control, such as age, race, ethnicity, and family history. The risk of stroke increases with age, and it is higher among certain racial and ethnic groups, such as African Americans, Alaska Natives, American Indians, and Hispanics in the United States. Additionally, individuals with a family history of stroke, particularly at a younger age, are at a higher risk.
Socioeconomic factors also play a role, with evidence suggesting that strokes are more prevalent in low-income communities. In Australia, the age-standardised prevalence of stroke in 2018 was more than twice as high in the lowest socioeconomic areas compared to the highest. Furthermore, stroke incidence rates in Western Australia from 1997 to 2002 were significantly higher for First Nations males and females than for the non-Indigenous population.
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Prevention
In 2022, stroke was the underlying cause of 8,400 deaths in Australia, accounting for 4.4% of all deaths. There are around 475,000 stroke survivors in Australia, with approximately half suffering from a disability affecting their daily lives.
Up to 80% of strokes can be prevented by making healthy lifestyle choices and managing medical conditions that increase the risk of stroke. Here are some ways to reduce your risk of having a stroke:
- Stay active and exercise regularly. Physical activity helps to maintain a healthy weight and improve overall health.
- Improve your diet. Eat a balanced diet that is high in fibre, fruit, vegetables, nuts, and healthy fats, while low in saturated fat and salt. A Mediterranean-style diet has been shown to significantly lower stroke rates.
- Avoid smoking. Smoking doubles your risk of stroke by damaging blood vessel walls, increasing blood pressure, and making blood more likely to clot.
- Drink alcohol in moderation. Excessive alcohol consumption can contribute to high blood pressure, uncontrolled diabetes, and weight gain.
- Manage stress. Stress can have detrimental effects on your health and increase your risk of stroke.
- Treat high blood pressure. High blood pressure can damage blood vessels and lead to clots or plaques that block arteries in the brain. Medications can help lower blood pressure to a healthy range.
- Control diabetes. Diabetes medications can help maintain optimal blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of fatty deposits or clots in blood vessels.
- Lower cholesterol. Cholesterol-lowering medications can reduce the risk of a second stroke by preventing the build-up of plaques in arteries.
- Address heart conditions. Conditions such as a hole in the heart or heart disease can increase the risk of clot formation.
- Monitor irregular heartbeat. Irregular heartbeat can cause stagnant blood flow and lead to clots that travel to the brain.
- Avoid illegal drugs. Substances like amphetamine and cocaine can increase the risk of stroke, especially bleeds.
- Seek medical attention if you experience symptoms of a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), as it is a warning sign for a more severe stroke.
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Treatment
In 2022, stroke was the underlying cause of 8,400 deaths in Australia, accounting for 4.4% of all deaths and 19% of cardiovascular disease deaths. While the rates of people dying from stroke have dropped significantly over the last 30 years, around 10,600 Australians still die of stroke each year.
Strokes occur when a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain becomes blocked (ischaemic stroke) or ruptures and bleeds (haemorrhagic stroke). Both types of stroke can result in brain damage, leading to impairments affecting a range of activities such as speaking, thinking, movement, and communication.
There are two immediate treatments for ischemic (clot) strokes: clot-dissolving medication and endovascular treatment (clot retrieval). These treatments must be administered within hours of the onset of symptoms.
Clot-dissolving Medication
Alteplase (tPA) is a clot-dissolving medication that can be administered within 4.5 hours of the onset of symptoms. However, it carries a risk of bleeding and is not suitable for patients with a high risk of bleeding, such as those with recent surgery, trauma, or on specific blood-thinning medications.
Endovascular Clot Retrieval
Endovascular clot retrieval, also known as mechanical thrombectomy, is a surgical procedure performed via a catheter inserted into an artery in the groin. This technique is suitable for patients with large clots in major arteries, as it involves threading the catheter up to the brain through large arteries to trap and retrieve the clot. While this treatment is successful in 80-85% of cases, it is complex and delicate, with potential complications including the risk of another stroke.
Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Management
Blood pressure-lowering medications are often prescribed to stroke patients, as high blood pressure is a risk factor for strokes. In many cases, multiple medications are necessary to achieve the target blood pressure range. Additionally, cholesterol-lowering tablets can reduce the risk of a second stroke.
Diet and Lifestyle
Adopting a healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, has been shown to significantly lower stroke rates. Maintaining a low-fat diet, drinking alcohol in moderation, and avoiding cigarettes can also help prevent strokes and improve overall health.
Diabetes Management
Diabetes medications are important for stroke patients with diabetes to ensure excellent blood sugar control. Regular monitoring and additional treatments may be necessary to manage blood pressure and diabetes effectively.
Carotid Surgery/Stenting
For patients with a narrow carotid artery restricting blood flow to the brain, carotid surgery or stenting may be considered. This involves opening and clearing the artery or placing a small cylinder (stent) to increase blood flow.
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Demographics
Stroke is one of Australia's biggest killers, claiming more lives each year than breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men. In 2022, stroke was the underlying cause of 8,400 deaths, or 4.4% of all deaths in Australia. This figure represents a significant drop from previous years, with 10,600 stroke-related deaths reported in 2021.
Age is a significant factor in stroke prevalence, with older age groups experiencing higher rates of stroke. In 2018, over two-thirds (71%) of people who had a stroke were aged 65 and over, with the highest proportion among those aged 85 and above. This trend persists in 2021, with the rate of stroke among those aged 85 and over being more than twice that of the 75-84 age group and six times that of the 65-74 age bracket. Notably, the prevalence of stroke in 2018 was higher in males across all age groups, with a self-reported rate of 1.6% compared to 1.1% in females.
Socioeconomic status also plays a role in stroke occurrence. Based on the 2018 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers, the age-standardised prevalence of stroke was more than twice as high in people aged 15 and over living in the lowest socioeconomic areas compared to those in the highest socioeconomic regions.
Indigenous Australians, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, face a higher risk of stroke and associated mortality. While limited national data is available for the First Nations population, studies from 1997-2002 in Western Australia indicate significantly higher stroke incidence rates for First Nations males (377) and females (341) compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts. Additionally, Indigenous Australians are almost twice as likely to die from cardiovascular disease (CVD), which includes stroke, than non-Indigenous Australians.
It is important to note that stroke can occur at any age, and one-third of all stroke survivors in Australia are under 65. Furthermore, in 2023, 25% of strokes occurred in individuals under 65, highlighting that stroke is not solely a disease of older adults.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2022, 8,400 people died from strokes in Australia, making up 4.4% of all deaths. In 2023, it was estimated that one in five people died within 28 days of a stroke.
In 2023, there were an estimated 45,785 stroke events in Australia, including 34,793 first-ever strokes. This equates to one stroke every 11 minutes.
Risk factors for strokes include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Lifestyle factors such as stress, diet, alcohol consumption, and smoking can also contribute to stroke risk.
