Ireland has the worst outcome for stroke sufferers among 12 countries involved in a new survey, according to the Irish Heart Foundation.
The group said the study conducted in Europe and North America found that 21% of Irish stroke patients died within 180 days of suffering the stroke.
This compares to a 100% survival rate in Germany.
The study also found that just 2% of Irish stroke patients had access to an acute stroke unit, compared with an average of 39%.