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Stroke Key Visual

When every second counts

Tackling stroke with speed and precision

Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability and death worldwide – but with the right tools, teamwork, and timing, outcomes can be transformed. Discover how latest innovations and initiatives are helping healthcare professionals redefine stroke care – saving precious time and lives.

According to international studies, over 12 million people suffer a stroke each year [1] – that’s one every few seconds. With rising numbers, especially in aging populations, global data highlights the urgent need for awareness, prevention, and timely treatment. These facts and figures reveal the profound impact stroke has on people’s lives and on healthcare systems across the globe.

Facts

Stroke is #2 cause of death worldwide

Stroke clinical images

Each year, about 15% of all strokes occur in people 15-49 years of age

15-20% of all stroke survivors will suffer a recurrent stroke within five years of their initial one

Nearly 100 million live with the effects of stroke

12 million new strokes per year

7 million die from stroke annually

Deaths from stroke

Stroke is #2 cause of death worldwide

Know the risk – act before it strikes

Stroke can strike without warning, but understanding its causes and types can make all the difference – and sheds light on the key risk factors behind them. Awareness is the first step toward prevention and faster treatment.

90% of all strokes are linked to 10 modifiable risk factors. — Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, but many strokes are preventable by addressing key risk factors.

Stroke doesn’t play by one set of rules

Risk factors and symptoms vary significantly between men, women, and children. While the signs may differ, one thing remains constant: time is critical. Rapid response is essential to prevent long-term damage. Understanding the condition in all its forms is key – from early warning signs to gender and age-specific presentations. In parallel, accelerated access to patient data and medical records can play a vital role in optimizing treatment and saving lives.

When it comes to stroke, most people think of ischemic stroke – but identifying the exact type is crucial for fast and effective treatment.

Stroke in women: Unique signs and risk factors

Women often experience nontraditional stroke symptoms that are easily overlooked – such as headache, dizziness or fainting, fatigue, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, nausea, or sudden confusion and agitation [8]. These less-specific symptoms may lead to misdiagnosis or delays in treatment, resulting in worse outcomes.

Certain risk factors are unique to women

Pregnancy increases the risk of stroke due to blood clotting changes, especially around childbirth. A history of high blood pressure during pregnancy raised the risk of having the most common form of stroke by 80 percent [9].

Hormonal factors also play a role [10]:

Oral contraceptives can raise clot risk
Hormone therapy later in life may increase stroke risk
Early menopause may be linked to a higher risk

Understanding these gender-specific signs and risks is essential for timely diagnosis and prevention.

gender-specific signs and risks

Pediatric stroke: challenging to identify

Pediatric strokes are rare and often difficult to recognize, as symptoms can be subtle and easily mistaken for other conditions. This unfamiliarity frequently leads to delayed or incorrect diagnoses [11]. As neurological changes in children have a broad range of possible causes and presentations, accurate assessment is essential [12]. Early identification greatly improves long-term outcomes and helps prevent lasting neurological damage. When possible, MRI and collaborative decision-making are recommended to distinguish true strokes from mimics in children.

Stroke can happen to anyone

Zosia, a 14-year-old student, suffered a stroke during a school day. Her story shows that a rapid response from the surrounding community is critical to the outcome of stroke. Watch her story to learn how Justin Singer, MD, was able to quickly treat and restore blood flow to her brain.

Read how Zosia is doing today

Diagnosis

Recognizing early warning signs – FAST

The sooner treatment begins after the onset of stroke symptoms, the better the chance of preventing permanent damage. Recognizing early warning signs – like sudden weakness or numbness on one side, slurred speech, or vision disturbances – can be life-saving. The easy to remember FAST test (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) provides a quick and effective way to identify a potential stroke and act immediately.

Early recognition is critical when treating stroke

Mobile Stroke Units: Timely diagnosis at the scene

Equipped with advanced imaging, lab diagnostics, and telemedicine capabilities, Mobile Stroke Units (MSU) help care teams initiate treatment faster. The set-up enables high-quality CT scans onboard the ambulance, helping care teams make a diagnosis right at the scene. The MSU is remotely connected via Stroke Connect², allowing specialists to access clinical data in real-time, helping efficiency without compromising care. This innovative approach allows treatment to start earlier, streamlining the stroke care pathway and improving outcomes.

How pre-hospital care is evolving

SOMATOM On.site¹

This compact CT scanner can be integrated into an ambulance, enabling state-of-the-art head CT imaging and supporting clinicians in their diagnostic or therapeutic decision making. It features a telescopic gantry enabling scanning directly on the stretcher.

SOMATOM On.site

epoc® Blood Analysis System

The handheld epoc system allows immediate access to critical, lab quality test results at the patient‘s side. It works with a single room temperature test card, delivering results in less than a minute, enhancing clinical decision making, and accelerating care delivery in the MSU. Its wireless connection enables clinical data exchange in real time.

epoc Blood Analysis System

Stroke Connect²

The MSU is remotely connected via Stroke Connect², a digital solution that enhances the pre-hospital stroke pathway by collecting, sharing, and organizing clinical data for suspected stroke patients. It provides structured workflows, NIH Stroke Scale assessments, and manages the full imaging process remotely.

Stroke Connect

eHealth Solutions

eHealth Solutions enable a single view of comprehensive patient health data and make it accessible to care teams and the patient across institutions and when needed for fast and confident decision-making. With immediate data sharing, eHealth Solutions foster close collaboration across care teams along the entire patient journey to achieve better and timely patient outcomes.

eHealth solutions

Mike

Follow Mike on his acute stroke health journey

Stroke is a medical emergency where every second matters. Rapid and precise diagnosis is critical for effective treatment and improved outcomes. Mike’s case (exemplary patient) illustrates what optimal stroke care can look like.

Treatment

Critical insights in seconds:
How advanced imaging and AI transform stroke workflow

In stroke care, time is brain. Rapid and accurate imaging is crucial to assess the extent of brain injury and guide immediate treatment. Angiography, MRI, CT, ultrasound, and lab diagnostics are essential tools in identifying stroke type, location, and severity. Advances in imaging technology now allow for even faster acquisition, improved resolution, and enhanced visualization of brain tissue and blood vessels. Innovations such as perfusion imaging, real-time vascular mapping, and AI-assisted diagnostics are transforming stroke workflows and enabling precise, timely interventions.

Angiography

Angiography helps visualize cerebral blood vessels, detect blockages, and locate arterial occlusions. It is essential in treatment planning and guiding effective stroke interventions like thrombectomy to restore blood flow to the brain and minimize the impact of stroke.

Learn more

Angiography

Magnetic resonance imaging

MRI is crucial in enabling stroke diagnosis as it detects and locates brain tissue damage, identifies stroke type, and determines stroke age. According to the images received, timely and accurate treatment can be initiated. Deep Resolve – AI-powered image acquisition and reconstruction technology – delivers fastest scan speed, images of extraordinary clarity, higher clinical productivity, and better patient experience.

Learn more

MRI

Deep Resolve

Deep Resolve utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the quality of medical imaging, particularly in MRI scans. It leverages deep learning algorithms to improve image resolution and clarity, allowing for faster scans without compromising image quality.

Computed Tomography

CT imaging is essential in aiding stroke diagnosis as it quickly helps to differentiate between ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, and supports in guiding timely interventions like thrombolysis, thrombectomy or surgery.

Learn more

Computed Tomography

syngo.CT Brain Hemorrhage

syngo.CT Brain Hemorrhage is a software application used in conjunction with CT imaging to assist in the detection and evaluation of brain hemorrhages. This application helps radiologists and clinicians by providing automated tools to identify and assess hemorrhagic lesions in the brain, potentially improving diagnostic accuracy and efficiency.

syngo.CT ASPECTS

syngo.CT ASPECTS is a software application that automatically calculates the ASPECT score of a non-contrast media enhanced CT head scan and highlights the affected brain regions on the CT image. The Alberta stroke program early CT score (ASPECTS) provides a score from 0 (most severe) to 10 (last severe) by evaluating brain regions. The calculated ASPECT score supports the assessment and severity of ischemic changes of the MCA (middle cerebral artery) regions in axial non-contrast brain CT images.

Non-contrast CT helps detect ischemic changes, while CT angiography and perfusion enable the assessment of vessel blockages and brain perfusion. Tools like ³ further assist in the accurate assessment of affected areas and severity.

Computed Tomography

syngo.CT Brain Hemorrhage

syngo.CT Brain Hemorrhage is a software application used in conjunction with CT imaging to assist in the detection and evaluation of brain hemorrhages. This application helps radiologists and clinicians by providing automated tools to identify and assess hemorrhagic lesions in the brain, potentially improving diagnostic accuracy and efficiency.

syngo.CT ASPECTS

syngo.CT ASPECTS is a software application that automatically calculates the ASPECT score of a non-contrast media enhanced CT head scan and highlights the affected brain regions on the CT image. The Alberta stroke program early CT score (ASPECTS) provides a score from 0 (most severe) to 10 (last severe) by evaluating brain regions. The calculated ASPECT score supports the assessment and severity of ischemic changes of the MCA (middle cerebral artery) regions in axial non-contrast brain CT images.

Blood testing/Laboratory

Blood tests aid stroke diagnosis and treatment by checking glucose levels, clotting status, infection markers, and electrolyte imbalances. They help rule out stroke mimics, assess treatment eligibility, and guide safe use of medications.

Learn more

Lab

Carotid Ultrasound

Carotid ultrasound helps diagnose stroke by detecting narrowing or blockage in the carotid arteries – a major cause of ischemic stroke. It guides treatment decisions, such as the need for stenting to restore blood flow.

Learn more

Ultrasound

Precision therapies to restore blood flow and minimize damage

During a stroke, rapid neuronal loss occurs due to disrupted cerebral blood flow. Advances in treatment – such as mechanical thrombectomy, endovascular embolization, and neurosurgical procedures – offer effective strategies to restore perfusion and limit damage.

Time is brain

Thrombolysis

Thrombolysis is a medical treatment that uses medication to dissolve blood clots, preventing them from blocking blood vessels and potentially causing serious health issues. It‘s commonly used to treat conditions like heart attack, stroke, and pulmonary embolism. In certain types of stroke caused by a blockage in the brain‘s blood vessels, thrombolysis can help restore blood flow and minimize brain damage.

Thrombolysis

Thrombectomy

Thrombectomy is a procedure to mechanically remove a blood clot (thrombus) from a blood vessel, restoring blood flow. It can be performed surgically or with a catheter. Mechanical thrombectomy is a promising approach in ischemic stroke treatment. All over the world, interventional neuroradiologists are working to provide access to catheter therapy to as many patients as possible who might benefit from this form of therapy.

Thrombectomy

Endovascular embolization

Endovascular embolization is a minimally invasive medical procedure used to treat abnormal blood vessels by blocking blood flow to the affected area. It involves inserting a catheter through a blood vessel to reach the problematic area and then introducing an embolic agent, such as glue or particles, to seal off the vessel.

Endovascular embolization

Surgical treatment

In cases of ischemic stroke, thrombectomy is often used to remove clots from blocked arteries. For hemorrhagic strokes, surgery may be needed to drain blood, relieve pressure, or repair aneurysms.

Surgical treatment

Future of stroke care: Improving outcomes with real-time data

A five-year initiative, Umbrella, was founded in 2024 and aims to transform stroke care across Europe.

Over 1 million annual stroke patients and nearly 10 million survivors in the EU stand to benefit from Umbrella’s holistic and innovative approach to stroke care. This project brings together over 20 public and private organizations, led by Vall d’Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR) and Siemens Healthineers.

With a holistic approach that covers the entire stroke care pathway, Umbrella harnesses the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and cutting-edge digital technologies to improve stroke prevention and diagnosis, reduce time to treatment, and prevent long-term damage.

Stroke rendering

Optimizing the stroke pathway

Carlos Molina, MD, and Alejandro Tomasello, MD, from Vall d‘Hebron hospital in Barcelona, Spain aim to overcome bottlenecks in the workflow for stroke by using our technology in their one-step approach to stroke treatment. They were able to shorten the door-to-groin time to less than 30 minutes – an important step in improving patient outcomes.

Aftercare

Strong again – long-term care and secondary stroke prevention

Up to 20 percent of stroke survivors suffer another stroke within five years [14]. Secondary prevention and supporting recovery go hand in hand. A healthy lifestyle, regular check-ups, and targeted aftercare can reduce the risk of recurrence and improve quality of life after a stroke. Learn how prevention, rehabilitation, and daily habits play a key role in long-term stroke care.

Read how Stéphane is doing today

Hidden causes: Understanding the underlying diseases of stroke [15, 16]

Cardioembolic stroke

A cardioembolic stroke occurs when a blood clot forms in the heart, travels through the bloodstream, and blocks an artery in the brain, cutting off blood flow. It‘s often caused by conditions like atrial fibrillation or heart valve disease.

Did you know?

Up to 4.2 million recurrent strokes may be caused by cardioembolic ischemia and can potentially be avoided.

Cardioembolic stroke

Large artery atherosclerosis

Large artery atherosclerosis

Large artery atherosclerosis is a type of stroke caused by fatty deposits (plaques) building up in the walls of major arteries, leading to narrowing or blockage.

Did you know?

Up to 3.9 million recurrent strokes may be caused by carotid disease and can potentially be avoided.³

Cerebral aneurysm

A cerebral aneurysm is a weak or thin spot in a brain artery that balloons out and fills with blood. It may rupture, causing bleeding in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke).

Did you know?

26% of hemorrhagic strokes are caused by subarachnoid hemorrhages (SAH) and up to 600.000 recurrent strokes may be caused by SAHs and can potentially be avoided.

Cerebral aneurysm

Facts to consider

Silent strokes are undetected strokes. They occur when a blood vessel blockage in the brain causes cells to die, but no warning signs or symptoms are obvious.
About 25 percent of people over age 80 have at least one such area of tissue death, known as a “silent infarct,” in the brain.
Silent infarcts can be seen in patients through advanced brain imaging techniques such as MRI and CT [17].

In 2021, high outdoor temperature – globally – was responsible for almost 2 million years of healthy life lost from stroke – particularly in North and Central Africa, Middle East, and South Asia [1].

[1] Feigin VL, Brainin M, Norrving B, Martins SO, Pandian J, Lindsay P, et al. World Stroke Organization: Global Stroke Fact Sheet 2025. Int J Stroke [Internet]. 2025;20(2):132–44. Available from:

[2] Rücker V, Heuschmann PU, O’Flaherty M, Weingärtner M, Hess M, Sedlak C, et al. Twenty-year time trends in long-term case-fatality and recurrence rates after ischemic stroke stratified by etiology. Stroke [Internet]. 2020;51(9):2778–85. Available from:

[3] Impact of stroke [Internet]. World Stroke Organization. [cited 2025 Jun 5]. Available from:

[4] CDC. Stroke facts [Internet]. Stroke. 2024 [cited 2025 Jun 11]. Available from:

[5] dsg_adm. Europäischer Aktionsplan ausgerufen [Internet]. Deutsche Schlaganfall-Gesellschaft. 2022 [cited 2025 Jun 11]. Available from:

[6] GBD 2019 Stroke Collaborators. Global, regional, and national burden of stroke and its risk factors, 1990-2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Lancet Neurol [Internet]. 2021;20(10):795–820. Available from:

[7] Transient ischemic attack (TIA) [Internet]. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. [cited 2025 Jun 12]. Available from:

[8] Elisabeth P. What women need to know about stroke [Internet]. Mayo Clinic Press. 2024 [cited 2025 Jun 5]. Available from:

[9] British Heart Foundation. High blood pressure during pregnancy increases risk of heart attacks and strokes [Internet]. British Heart Foundation. 2019 [cited 2025 Jun 5]. Available from:

[10] Oral contraceptives and hormone therapy increase the risk of stroke [Internet]. Www.uu.se. [cited 2025 Jun 5]. Available from:

[11] deVeber GA, Kirton A, Booth FA, Yager JY, Wirrell EC, Wood E, et al. Epidemiology and outcomes of arterial ischemic stroke in children: The Canadian Pediatric Ischemic Stroke Registry. Pediatr Neurol [Internet]. 2017;69:58–70. Available from:

[12] Stroke.org. [cited 2025 Jun 5]. Available from:

[13] Saver JL. Time is brain--quantified. Stroke [Internet]. 2006;37(1):263–6. Available from:

[14] Deutscher Ärzteverlag GmbH. The frequency and timing of recurrent stroke [Internet]. Deutsches Ärzteblatt. [cited 2025 Jun 5]. Available from:

[15] Arsava EM, Helenius J, Avery R, Sorgun MH, Kim G-M, Pontes-Neto OM, et al. Assessment of the predictive validity of etiologic stroke classification. JAMA Neurol [Internet]. 2017;74(4):419–26. Available from:

[16] Research, Markets ltd. Brain Aneurysm Treatment Market Forecast to 2027 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis by Type; Condition; End User, and geography [Internet]. Researchandmarkets.com. [cited 2025 Jun 18]. Available from:

[17] Stroke.org. [cited 2025 Jun 5]. Available from:

¹ SOMATOM On.site is not commercially available in all countries. Its future availability cannot be guaranteed.

²Stroke Connect contains medical and non-medical devices. This solution cannot be used directly for diagnostic purposes. Product availability may vary from country to country and is subject to varying regulatory requirements. Please contact your local representative for availability. Stroke Connect is not currently available in the US. Adaptation for US requirements is in progress, with no guaranteed availability.

³ Not commercially available in the US.

The products/features mentioned herein are not commercially available in all countries. Future availability cannot be guaranteed.