Stroke Data Facts

PIH Health Whittier Hospital

Acute Stroke Discharge:
Where did they go?

Key Discharge Facts:

  • Nearly half (47%) of stroke patients at PIH Health Whittier Hospital are able to return home after treatment.
  • About 36% go to a rehabilitation facility to continue their recovery and regain strength.
  • Only 6% are transferred to another hospital, often due to insurance or specialized care needs.

PIH Health Whittier Hospital is a Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center, equipped to treat the most complex stroke cases.

We support nearby hospitals through our 24/7 Stroke/Neuro Hotline and dedicated ambulance service, ensuring patients get the expert care they need — fast.

The American Heart and Stroke Association in their 2025 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update Fact Sheet At-a-Glance stated " on average, someone died of stroke every 3 minutes and 11 seconds in the U.S. in 2022."

Acute Stroke Patients by Age
What is your risk?

Key Age Facts:

  • From 2023 through 2025 year-to-date, nearly half (48%) of stroke patients at PIH Health Whittier Hospital have been between the ages of 65 and 85.
  • The median age is 71, with the youngest patient in their early 20s, highlighting the wide age range affected by stroke.

Acute Stroke Patient Risk Factors
Which factors do you have?

 

Key Risk Factor Facts:

  • Over 75% of all acute stroke patients arriving at PIH Health Whittier Hospital have high blood pressure (hypertension) — the most common condition observed.
  • About 50% of patients have dyslipidemia, often referred to as “bad” or “high” cholesterol, making it the second most common condition.
  • Diabetes Mellitus ranks third, affecting approximately 34% of patients in 2025 year-to-date, though rates have steadily declined since 2023.

The good news: Many of these conditions can be managed with regular care and healthy habits. Working closely with your primary care provider can lower your risk of stroke and heart attack.

Want to know what is your risk? Take the Stroke Quiz and find out!

Carotid Endarterectomy (CEA)/Carotid Artery Stenting (CAS)

The carotid arteries are the main blood vessels that send blood and oxygen to the brain. These are procedures to treat carotid artery disease that can arise from blood vessel becoming smaller due to build-up of fatty deposits, calcium, or other cell deposits. If a vessel becomes too small, or narrow, can completely be blocked and cause a stroke. The goal in CEA and CAS treatment is to prevent or lower the risk of a stroke. Asymptomatic patients undergoing CEA or CAS demonstrate excellent outcomes, with very low rates of stroke or death within 30 days of the procedure

Acute Ischemic Stroke

Ischemic Stroke, which is a clot that blocks blood flow to the brain, accounts for 81% of all acute stroke patients that arrived to PIH Health Whittier Hospital so far this year. The updated Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2022 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association states of all strokes, 87% are ischemic with the remaining 13% being split between the two types of brain bleeds.

Hospital Arrival to "Clot Busting" Medication

Thrombolytic is a “clot busting” medicine that may be given during an ischemic stroke, which occurs when a blood clot blocks blood flow in the brain. This medicine works by breaking up the clot so blood can flow again. The sooner it’s given, the more effective it is. National guidelines from the American Heart and Stroke Association recommend starting treatment within 60 minutes of hospital arrival. At PIH Health, we strive to begin treatment in under 45 minutes—and even under 30 minutes when possible. Currently, we deliver this medication to nearly 100% of our acute stroke patients, with almost 50% receiving it within 30 minutes and 86% within 45 minutes.

 

Successful* Mechanical Thrombectomy

Mechanical thrombectomy is a remarkable procedure that restores blood flow to the brain by physically removing a clot through a tiny tube inserted near the groin. At PIH Health Whittier Hospital, our team performs over 100 of these complex, lifesaving procedures every year.

What truly stands out is our unwavering consistency: for the past three years, our success rate has remained impressively steady—around 85% each year (84.6% in 2023, and 84.8% in both 2024 and year-to-date in 2025). This reflects not only advanced technology, but also the dedication and skill of our specialized stroke team, ensuring patients get the best possible outcomes when every second matters.

*Success is defined by a grade given on how open the brain artery is after the removal of the clot.