60% Of Stroke Survivors Develop Cognitive Impairment Within A Year

Up to 60% of stroke survivors will develop mild-to-severe post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) within one year. Up to 20% of individuals with mild PSCI recover fully; however, improvement in cognitive impairment without return to pre-stroke levels is more frequent than complete recovery.

Due to the prevalence of PSCI, the American Heart Association issued a scientific statement on best practices, specifically recommending that brief screening tests be used to identify cognitive impairment after a stroke. The statement noted that early detection of cognitive impairment is crucial for planning immediate care and detection of cognitive changes over time . . .