New research reveals stroke deaths are falling, but more strokes are occurring in younger people

Stroke deaths in England have halved in the past 10 years thanks to better treatment, new research in the BMJ suggests. The number of strokes has fallen among older people, who have been the target of medical interventions to control their blood pressure, such as prescription of statins. But those younger than 55 are having more strokes, the study found.

Mark McDonald, Deputy Director of Policy and Influencing at the Stroke Association, said: “Stroke can strike anyone – young, old and everyone in between. While it’s good news that fewer people are dying from stroke, these latest findings suggest that the number of strokes in people aged under 45 are on the rise. We also know that in the UK, one in four strokes happen to people of working age, and in general people are having strokes earlier in their lives.

“Unhealthy lifestyles could partly be to blame for this increase, with smoking, obesity and high blood pressure putting people at risk of a stroke. We must also remember that a growing population and changes to hospital admission practice are important factors.

“We must do more to raise people’s awareness of risk factors, so that they can take action to help prevent themselves from having a stroke. Often important stroke risk factors, such as atrial fibrillation, high blood pressure and diabetes, can be prevented or managed through healthy eating, exercise and medical treatment. Stroke strikes every five minutes in the UK, and this has to change. It’s more important than ever for us to come together and make the improvements we all want to see in stroke prevention, treatment and care.”