Stroke rates and high blood pressure

12 May 2015

The number of strokes occurring in men aged between 40 and 54 has rocketed by almost 50% in less than 15 years, according to the Stroke Association.(i)

An analysis of hospital admission data by the charity, to mark Action on Stroke Month 2015 - http://www.stroke.org.uk/strokemonth, reveals that in 2000, there were over 4,260 hospital admissions for stroke among men aged between 40 and 54 in England. This figure soared to 6,221 in 2014 - an increase of 46%. It is thought that much of the rise is due to increasing sedentary and unhealthy lifestyles.

The charity's research shows the number of women aged 40-54 admitted to hospital after a stroke in the last 15 years has also dramatically increased by almost a third (30%) - from 3,529 in 2000, to 4,604 in 2014.(ii) Overall, the number of strokes occurring in people of working age (20-64) has risen by a quarter within the past 15 years.(iii)

Jon Barrick, Chief Executive of the Stroke Association, said: "These figures show that stroke can no longer be seen as a disease of older people. There is an alarming increase in the numbers of people having a stroke in working age. This comes at a huge cost, not only to the individual, but also to their families and to health and social care services.

"The simple truth is that we must do more to raise people's awareness of risk factors, to help prevent them from having a stroke. We also need the right health and social care services available. People must have the support they need to make the best possible recovery and avoid having to cope for decades with the disabilities that stroke can bring."

Katharine Jenner, Chief Executive of Blood Pressure UK, said: “Despite overall numbers of strokes falling in the last 15 years, the dramatic increase in the number of strokes in younger people aged 40-54 is very concerning. It is important to bear in mind that the absolute numbers are still low compared to the total number of strokes (6,221 in men 40-54, 4,604  in women 40-54 vs 150,000 across the population per year), however this is a trend we are seeing in other diseases too, such as heart disease, obesity and type 2 diabetes, and represents a bigger problem overall.

“There is little doubt that this increase is due to the unhealthy lifestyles of this group: bad diets and little exercise. This can result in high blood pressure, which is the leading cause for strokes. The streets and supermarkets are saturated with cheap food high in salt, fat and sugar, and low in fruit and vegetables and fibre; the food environment needs to change if we are really going to tackle the burden of stroke, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity in this country. We hope the re-appointed Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt MP, is listening.”

The charity is warning that the rise in working age stroke means more people will be forced to live with the heavy financial impact of the condition. Stroke survivors unable to return to work can struggle to cope with a fall in income, increased household bills and a benefits system which does not recognise the full impact of stroke. Overall, stroke costs the UK economy around £9bn a year. Loss of income, due to death and disability from stroke alone, is over £1.3billion each year.(iv)

A survey of businesses regarding their attitudes on the impact of stroke on their staff, for Action on Stroke Month 2015, showed that:(v)

· Just one in 20 employers recognised cognitive difficulties as a symptom of stroke.

· When asked why businesses might be reluctant to employ a stroke survivor, two fifths (42%) said that they would have concerns about the impact of a stroke on an employee's ability to carry out their role.

· Half (50%) had not heard of the Government's Access to Work Scheme. (vi)

Jon Barrick said: "Having a stroke is bad enough, but being written off by your employer through a lack of understanding can be catastrophic. Businesses play a crucial role in helping stroke survivors get back into the workplace and on the road to recovery. That's why we're calling on employers to be aware of the physical and emotional impact of stroke." 

Brendan Roach, Senior Disability Consultant at Business Disability Forum, added: "Our experience of working with organisations for over 20 years demonstrates that businesses with an effective and well publicised process for making disability-related workplace adjustments are best placed to meet the challenge of risings rates of stroke. That's why we're supporting the Stroke Association's work to encourage employers to understand the needs of stroke survivors and become 'disability-smart'."

The Stroke Association provides advice and practical support to help stroke survivors return to employment. For more information, visit http://www.stroke.org.uk/ http://www.stroke.org.uk/ or call 0303 303 3100.