CDC: Stroke Risk Varies Widely by State

A new report from the Centers for Disease Control shows that the incidence of stroke varies widely across the United States. It's the first study to show such state-by-state detail.

Many of the states with the highest stroke prevalence were in the Southeast: Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee. Others included Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas, and West Virginia. Mississippi was by far the worst, with 4.3% of adults 18+ years old reporting that their doctor had told them they'd had a stroke. The U.S. average is 2.6%.

CDC map of stroke incidence

The lowest percent of stroke victims was in wealthy Connecticut, where only 1.5% of the population had experienced one. Other states with a low percentage of stroke victims were neighbors: one set is Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota, and the other is Wyoming and Colorado.

The researchers attributed the state-by-state variations to differing norms for diet and exercise; incidence of poverty; and differences in health care. An earlier study found above-normal stroke risk factors in all but one of the 19 most stroke-prone states. Those states had too-high levels of high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol levels, diabetes, current smoking, physical inactivity, and obesity.

Not surprisingly, the odds of a stroke increase with age. Only 0.8% of 18-44 year olds have had one, increasing to 2.7% for 45-64 year olds. The 65+ group is the most stroke-prone at 8.1%.

The study mirrored others that show incidence of stroke decreasing with additional education. 4.4% of those who did not graduate high school have had a stroke; only 1.8% of college graduates have had one. Of course, education could be acting as a proxy for other factors, such as a healthier lifestyle or improved medical care.

Strokes are the third leading cause of death in the United States. The CDC has information on stroke risks and prevention here.

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links:
Study results, tables, and chart
CDC press release