Charity warns a stroke can strike at any age as the number of younger people having stroke grows

Responding to the latest annual Scottish Stroke Figures released today, the Stroke Association is reminding people, that a stroke can happen to anyone of any age, and the effects can be devastating. The latest official figures show that the proportion of strokes that happen in people of working age is growing – an increase of 20% in the last ten years.

John Watson, Associate Director for the Stroke Association, said:

“It is concerning to see an increase in the number of younger people having strokes, of which around a third will be left with a lifelong disability. This can leave people stripped of their independence overnight, affecting everything from their ability to go back to work, to partaking in their interests and hobbies. There are about 10,000 strokes in Scotland each year, but to see this number increasing amongst younger people is tragic.

“Stroke can no longer be the poor relation amongst health conditions, it needs to have greater importance placed on it for there to be a step change in our approach to improvements. Many stroke survivors describe their stroke as a ‘a life sentence’, so it is unacceptable to have so many lives affected.”

Figures also show the inequality gap widening as people from deprived areas are more likely to have a stroke. There are a wide range of socio-economic and historical factors at play here, but it is particularly concerning that this health inequality gap is increasing over time.

John continued,

“It continues to be a worry that Scotland lags its neighbours. Not only are people in Scotland more likely to have a stroke than those elsewhere in the UK, someone in Scotland who has a stroke is significantly more likely to die from it.

“Last year, The Scottish Government launched The Progressive Stroke Pathway and an Action Plan to guide improvements in stroke care. We are right behind this plan, but we need to see effective leadership from The Scottish Government and Health Boards for positive change.

These latest figures speak for themselves. Stroke needs greater attention. It needs effective leadership and innovation to make change happen. We owe it to all those affected by stroke to see this through.”