The NHS has voiced concern about a shocking rise in strokes among those in their 50s.
The number of people aged 50 to 59 who suffer the potentially fatal condition has risen by 55 per cent in the past 20 years.
Some 12,533 Britons in this age group had a stroke – where blood supply is cut off to the brain – in 2023/24, compared with 8,063 in 2004/05.
It comes as the overall number of those being admitted to hospital following a stroke has risen by 28 per cent since 2004.
NHS England data shows there were 111,137 admissions in 2023/24, up from 87,069 two decades earlier.
This increase has been driven in part by both an ageing population and the impact of unhealthy lifestyles on the country’s cardiovascular health.
Stroke numbers also rose by 42 per cent among those aged 60 to 69, and by 25 per cent for 70 to 79 year olds.
The NHS has voiced concern about a shocking rise in strokes among those in their 50s. Health Secretary Wes Streeting (pictured) said of the latest NHS analysis: ‘These figures are shocking, and even more so given the causes of stroke are largely preventable, such as high blood pressure and a poor diet
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, said the figures show that strokes ‘are not just a risk for older people’ and that everyone should be aware of the symptoms.
The NHS is promoting its ‘Act FAST’ campaign this week, which hopes to inform the public of the signs of stroke.
The acronym FAST means: people should look out for a drooping ‘Face’; an inability to raise one ‘Arm’; slurred or strange ‘Speech’; and if these symptoms are spotted, know it is ‘Time’ to call 999.
An accompanying television advertisement features examples of victims showing symptoms of a stroke – including a man struggling to smile, a decorator unable to lift their paint brush, and a grandmother struggling to read a bedtime story.
Without rapid treatment a stroke can result in death or disability – such as paralysis, memory loss and communication problems.
Experts said the increase in hospital admissions for stroke among those in their fifties could be associated with a range of factors, from better detection and reporting to obesity, poor diet, high blood pressure and lack of exercise.
Professor Powis added: ‘We know that lifestyle [factors]… can increase risk of stroke and have a significant impact on cardiovascular health for people of working age in their fifties and sixties.’
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director (pictured), said the figures show that strokes ‘are not just a risk for older people’ and that everyone should be aware of the symptoms
With 38,000 stroke-related deaths in the UK each year, it is the fourth leading cause of death – although the survival rate is rising.
In the last few years, NHS teams have deployed new ways to identify those with the major risk factors for stroke – including blood pressure checks in pharmacies for over-40s, free blood pressure monitors available to 220,000 people at increased risk, and a rapid roll out of blood-thinning drugs.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said of the latest NHS analysis: ‘These figures are shocking, and even more so given the causes of stroke are largely preventable, such as high blood pressure and a poor diet.
‘Prevention will always be better than cure.
‘Not only because it means helping people to live well for longer, but also because a healthy workforce supports our growth mission too.’
