Stroke ranks as the fourth leading killer in the United States. A stroke can be devastating to individuals and their families, robbing them of their independence. It is the most common cause of adult disability. Each year approximately 795,000 Americans have a stroke, with about 160,000 dying from stroke-related causes. Today, more and more people are protecting their most important asset—their brain.   There are key steps you can take that will lower your risk of death or disability from stroke: control stroke risk factors and know stroke-warning signs.