Stroke Facts: By The Numbers

May is American Stroke Month. It’s on the calendar every year, and for good reason. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. The odds of any of us having one at some point in our lifetime are far too high. And the disease has already cost us way too much.

That’s why taxpayers, pharmaceutical companies and other vested parties have spent billions of dollars researching stroke in recent years. And it’s why the month of May is reserved for building awareness, not to mention soliciting a few donations here and there.

To help contribute to the cause, WalletHub went looking for statistics and factoids to illustrate the gravity of the situation and encourage people to adopt healthier habits. In the following infographic, you call learn about everything from the toll stroke takes on families and the economy to why BE FAST is an acronym to remember.

Ask the Experts: Stroke Awareness

For more information about a disease that many people are unfamiliar with, we posed the following questions to a panel of healthcare professionals. You can find their bios and responses below.

1. What are the signs that someone might be having a stroke? What actions should be taken after calling for help?
2. What steps can someone take today to help reduce the risk of having a stroke?
3. What is driving the projected increase in the number of Americans having a stroke?