Health chiefs today sounded the alarm over a shocking rise in debilitating strokes among younger Britons.
Data shows that more than 12,500 people in their 50s suffered from this potentially fatal disease in 2023/24.
By comparison, the figure stood at just over 8,000 in 2004/2005, an increase of 55 percent in two decades.
The trend far outpaces the 28 percent increase across all ages over the same period.
Experts said the “alarming” trends showed the disease was not just a risk for the elderly, as the rise was due to obesity, stress, poor diet and sedentary lifestyles.
It also comes amid a worrying trend of increasing rates of some types of cancer, specifically breast, lung and bowel, among younger people.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “These figures are shocking, and even more so when you consider that the causes of stroke are largely preventable, such as high blood pressure and poor diet.”
‘Prevention will always be better than cure. Not only because it means helping people live well longer, but also because a healthy workforce also supports our mission of growth.’
Other telltale signs of an impending stroke, equally common, often go unnoticed. These include sudden numbness on one side of the body, sudden vertigo, and difficulty swallowing.
Stroke symptoms are commonly remembered by this four-letter acronym, FAST. Patients who suffer a stroke may often have their face drooping to one side, have difficulty raising both arms and difficulty speaking, while time is of the essence as immediate treatment for a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or A minor stroke can substantially reduce the risk of having a stroke. much deadlier stroke
Strokes affect more than 100,000 Britons every year (one every five minutes) and claim 38,000 lives.
This makes it the fourth leading cause of death in the UK and a leading cause of disability.
Nearly 800,000 people in the United States are hit by cars each year, resulting in 137,000 deaths.
The problem occurs when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, which kills brain cells. The damage can lead to long-term disability and affect the way people think and feel.
The most common cause is fatty deposits or a blood clot that blocks the arteries that supply the brain, known as an ischemic stroke.
This happens due to cardiovascular disease, when blood vessels become narrowed or blocked over time by plaques.
They are composed of cholesterol, calcium and other substances that accumulate on the walls of the arteries in a process known as atherosclerosis.
The other, called a hemorrhagic stroke, occurs when a blood vessel bursts in the brain and begins to leak its contents into the organ.
Game of Thrones actress Emilia Clarke has repeatedly spoken out about the lack of support for young stroke survivors. He suffered a brain hemorrhage when he was only 24 years old.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, national medical director of the NHS, said the figures show that strokes are “not just a risk for older people” and that everyone should be aware of the symptoms.
According to the latest data from NHS England, 12,533 Britons aged 50 to 59 suffered a stroke in 2023/24. There were 8,063 in 2004/05.
In total, last year there were 111,137 hospital admissions for strokes.
This represented a 28 percent increase from two decades earlier, when 87,069 were registered.
The number of strokes also increased by 42 percent among people ages 60 to 69, and 25 percent among people ages 70 to 79.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, national medical director of the NHS, said the figures show that strokes are “not just a risk for older people” and that everyone should be aware of the symptoms.
He added: “There are likely a number of causes behind this alarming increase, but we know that lifestyle, and in particular obesity, poor diet and lack of exercise, are among the common factors that can increase the risk of stroke and have a significant impact. on the cardiovascular health of people of working age between 50 and 60 years.’
‘Stroke is not only a leading cause of death in England, it can also have life-changing effects on many other families.
“Increased awareness of the need to act quickly and dial 999, along with other NHS interventions to help people take control of their cardiovascular health, could help save and protect many more lives.”
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “These figures are shocking, and even more so given that the causes of stroke are largely preventable, such as high blood pressure and poor diet.”
Previous data published in 2018 showed that 38 per cent of people who had a stroke in England in 2018 were middle-aged (40 to 69 years), up from a third in 2008.
Without timely treatment, a stroke can lead to death or long-term disabilities such as paralysis, memory loss, and communication problems.
The NHS says rapid diagnosis and treatment is “critical” as stroke victims can lose around 2 million brain cells a minute, and delays contribute to further damage and make recovery more difficult.
Earlier this month, the health service launched its first major update to its ‘Act FAST’ stroke awareness campaign since 2009.
It encourages people to act immediately if someone experiences one of three common symptoms, such as difficulty smiling, difficulty raising an arm or slurred speech.
It stems from research that found most people mistakenly thought they should only make that call if they had multiple symptoms.
In recent years, NHS teams have implemented new ways to find and treat more people with the main risk factors for cardiovascular health problems, including pharmacy blood pressure checks for people over 40 and blood pressure monitors free for more than 220,000 people.
Survival rates have also improved thanks to medical advances such as the launch of anticoagulant drugs and networks to send patients directly to specialized units.