In the late 1990s there was a striking disparity among the number of black children who died of stroke as compared to white children. Black children were 74 percent more likely to die of a stroke, because of the higher prevalence of sickle cell anemia in that population.

Certain factors have been traditionally used for predicting the risk for stroke, such as high cholesterol. But these factors may not be very accurate in predicting stroke risk for postmenopausal women.

An experimental device designed to remove blood clots from blocked vessels after a stroke has successfully outperformed a mechanical U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved device during a trial.

When it comes to helping heart failure patients avoid a stroke, common over-the-counter aspirin may be just as effective as a prescription blood thinner.

If you live in a sunny locale such as Florida, your risk of stroke may be lower than in areas with frequent dreary days such as Washington state.

Prior to its approval last year, there was much debate about Xarelto ( rivaroxaban ), an anti-clotting drug designed to prevent stroke among patients with atrial fibrillation, a common heart arrhythmia.

Untreated sleep apnea has been linked to a long list of health risks. Now silent strokes - where the person doesn't know they had a stroke - can be added to that list.

About 33 percent of stroke survivors leave the hospital unsure of the cause. A new finding suggests about 20 percent of strokes with an undetermined cause may have been prompted by a heart arrhythmia episode.

Following a stroke, suffering from anemia could prove to be a fatal combination. Stroke survivors who suffer from anemia are nearly three times more likely to die the first year after a stroke.

Minor infections during childhood could have more devastating consequences. Common infections could put kids at a higher risk of stroke during the initial month following an infection.