Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) includes all disorders in which an area of the brain is transiently or permanently affected by ischemia or bleeding and one or more of the cerebral blood vessels are involved in the pathological process.

CVD is the third leading cause of death after heart disease and malignancy and it is estimated that an average of 500,000 new strokes will occur each year in the USA. CVD is the most disabling of all neurologic diseases. Approximately 50% of survivors have a residual neurologic deficit and greater than 25% require chronic care.

Stroke incidence and mortality are declining primarily due to the successful treatment of HTN and control of risk factors.