Deaths from COPD: 124,181 annual deaths; 5.2% of deaths (CDC/1999). Deaths from types of COPD: for details see deaths from types of COPD analysis; summary of available deaths by type data: 1  Chronic bronchitis: 1,172 deaths (NHLBI 1999)  Pulmonary emphysema: 17,787 deaths reported in USA 1999 (NVSR Sep 2001)
After a stroke, you could experience neurological and circulatory complications. Common complications related to these systems include brain swelling, headaches, dizziness, seizures and blood clots in the legs.
A stroke affecting the brain stem is potentially life threatening since this area of the brain controls functions such as breathing and instructing the heart to beat. Brain stem stroke may also cause double vision, nausea and loss of coordination. Thalamus. The thalamus is a small structure within the brain located just above the brain stem between the cerebral cortex and the midbrain and has extensive nerve connections to both.