Population ageing and increasing exposure to behavioural and
environmental risk factors are increasing the worldwide burden of stroke. Since 1990,
there has been a significant increase in absolute numbers of strokes and the number of
deaths from stroke. The burden of stroke is higher in low- and middle-income countries
and, in particular, increasing in the younger age groups. The major risk factors for
stroke are well established, and many of these, particularly behavioural risk factors
such as tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity, are
modifiable. Hence, stroke is a highly preventable disease. Primary prevention is the key
strategy for reducing the global health impact of stroke. This chapter presents the most
recent updates from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries and Risk Factors Study
(GBD) 2013 studies and discusses stroke prevention strategies.
Keywords: Carotid artery stenting, Carotid endarterectomy, DALYs,
Epidemiology, Global Burden of Diseases, Global burden, Incidence, Injuries and
Risk Factors Study (GBD), Low- and middle-income countries prevention,
Mobile technology, Mortality, Prevalence, Stroke.
