Secondary stroke deserves another look

Approximately every three seconds, someone in the world suffers a stroke* ^1,2  and 20-30% of strokes occur in people who have already had a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).³  Worldwide, ~1 in 5 ischemic stroke survivors will have another stroke within 5 years, even with available secondary stroke prevention strategies.⁴

Strokes impact every survivor differently, so we are collaborating with actual stroke survivors and highlighting their individual stories as a reminder of both the global and personal burden that secondary stroke can impose.

Bayer is working to help address the high stroke recurrence rates^4,5 and is supporting efforts to advance secondary stroke prevention strategies.

This page provides an overview of the following topics:  

• Unmet needs, unseen risk - Stroke facts
• Life after stroke - Stroke survivor stories
• Life after stroke - Perspectives from care partners

Watch this video to learn more about stroke and its consequences.

Every stroke survivor has a story – one of trauma, resilience, and determination. Yet, even as they rebuild, the fear of another stroke remains. It’s a quiet burden, shared by their care partners in a fight against the unpredictable.

Their stories reveal not just the weight of uncertainty, but also the hope and humanity that keeps them moving forward.

Their experiences and emotions were transformed into individual works of art. Each piece tells a highly personal story and is featured on a unique mask that symbolizes the unseen struggles and strength behind every survivor’s story. Each piece tells a deeply personal narrative.

“The Invisible Made Visible” invites you to see what often goes unseen – because secondary stroke deserves another look.

Together with artists, we transformed the stories of the six stroke survivors into powerful visual expressions, rooted in authenticity and respect. 

This film reveals how listening became collaboration - and how collaboration became a movement to make the invisible visible.

Behind every stroke survivor stands someone who offers strength, encouragement, and care. In these videos, family and friends of Javier, Stacie, Richard, Hyvelle and Kevin share what it means to walk beside a survivor through recovery. They speak openly about challenges and small victories, about the daily adjustments and the moments of resilience that often go unseen. Their voices bring to light the quiet strength that sustains families and friendships when life is transformed by stroke. 

*Calculation based on 12,000,000 strokes per year^1,2 : 31,557,600 seconds per year ÷ 12,000,000 = 1 stroke per 2.63 seconds.
 

References:

1. Feigin VL, et al. Lancet Neurol. 2024;23(10):973–1003.
2. Feigin VL, et al. Lancet Neurol. 2021;20(10):795–820.
3. Feigin VL, et al. Lancet Neurol. 2023;22(12):1160–1206.
4. Kolmos M, et al. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2021;30(8):105935.
5. Kleindorfer DO, et al. Stroke. 2021;52(7):e364–e467.

Last updated: August 2026