STATISTICS & FACTS:         

Stroke and Heart Disease Facts & Statistics for Western New York:

The Research Center has spent an extensive amount of time studying morbidity and mortality associated with ischemic stroke and heart disease throughout New York State, especially within the Western New York (WNY) region. We are the only regional organization that analyzes this data such that rates, down to the ZIP code level, can be generated to establish disease burden. Simply put, WNY suffers from epidemic rates of stroke and heart disease. To follow are some compelling WNY facts and statistics:

• The rate of stroke death in WNY is 23% higher than the national rate and 79% higher than the aggregate New York State rate.
• WNY residents suffer three times as much stroke death as residents of New York City.
• Twice as many people are hospitalized with heart disease in Niagara County than is experienced on average across the state.
• Heart disease kills 10 times as many women in WNY as breast cancer and six times as many women as lung cancer.
• ZIP code 14203, where our offices are located, experiences 200% more stroke than is expected based on a New York State standard.
• Erie County residents experience 33% more heart disease death than the average U.S. citizen.
• Rates of risk factors that can contribute to stroke and heart disease, such as high blood pressure and overweight/obesity, are elevated in the WNY region.
• Only 58% of WNY residents report visiting their doctors routinely to have their blood pressure and cholesterol checked, for example. Nationally, this statistic is higher around 75% and may mean that more WNY’ers are going undiagnosed with dangerous conditions such as high blood pressure.

© Research Center for Stroke & Heart Disease, The Jacobs Neurological Institute, 2006.

For similar U.S. or New York State stroke and heart disease facts and statistics, visit www.cdc.gov or www.health.state.ny.us

Risk Factors for Ischemic Stroke and Heart Disease:

• High Blood Pressure
• High Cholesterol
• Smoking
• Overweight/Obesity
• Diabetes
• Physical Inactivity
• Atrial Fibrillation (stroke)

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.

Stroke is a medical emergency. If you or someone you are with experiences any of these signs, call 911 immediately!

 Heart Attack Warning Signs:

• Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.   
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.   
• Shortness of breath. May occur with or without chest discomfort.    
• Other signs: These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.