The number of people being admitted to hospital following a stroke has risen by 28% in the last 20 years, new NHS analysis has found.
NHS England data shows an increase to 111,137 stroke admissions in England in 2023/24 – from 87,069 in 2004/05 – driven in part by an ageing population and the impacts of lifestyle factors on the nation’s cardiovascular health.
There has also been a 55% rise in admissions among people aged 50-59 (8,063 in 2004/05 vs 12,533 in 2023/24) – the highest increase among any age group. This is compared to a 42% increase for those aged 60-69, and a 25% rise for ages 70-79.
The figures come as the NHS launched a major campaign, urging the public to call 999 immediately if anyone experiences one of the 3 most common symptoms of strokes including struggling to smile (Face) or raise an arm (Arms), or slurring their words (Speech).
The increase in admissions among ages 50-59 may be associated with a number of factors including better detection and reporting, hypertension, obesity, poor diet and lack of exercise.
The new NHS ‘Act FAST’ campaign launched this week with an advert showing these 3 symptoms – a man recognising his partner is struggling to smile while watching TV, a decorator suddenly unable to lift their paint roller, and a grandmother struggling to read their grandchild a bedtime story – which will run across TV, TV on demand and radio in England until mid-December. As part of the campaign launch, a powerful new film has also been released which features stroke survivors listening back to audio recordings of the actual 999 calls that saved their lives.
Dr David Hargroves, NHS National Clinical Director for Stroke and Consultant Stroke Physician, said: “The significant rise in people across all age groups experiencing a stroke is worrying and highlights the importance of our new NHS campaign to urge the public that while the first sign of a stroke might not seem like much, face or arm or speech, at the first sign it’s time to call 999.
“Thanks to greater awareness of the symptoms and advances in NHS care, more people are now surviving a stroke than ever before, but there is much more to do help save lives and reduce their long-term impact. Acting FAST remains vital – whether it is a friend, loved one or even a passer-by, dialling 999 quickly saves lives.”
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS National Medical Director, said: “The surge in admissions seen among those in their fifties reiterates very clearly that, while more common in the over-70s, strokes are not just a risk for older people – it is essential that everyone is aware of the symptoms to look out for, and knows to dial 999 quickly.
“There are likely to be a range of causes behind this alarming increase, but we know that lifestyle, and particularly obesity, poor diet and lack of exercise, are among common factors that can increase risk of stroke and have a significant impact on cardiovascular health for people of working age in their fifties and sixties.
“Not only is stroke one of the biggest killers in England, it can lead to life-changing impacts for so many other families – greater awareness of the need to act fast and dial 999, alongside other NHS interventions to support people to take control of their cardiovascular health, could help save and protect many more lives.”
In the last few years, NHS teams have rolled out innovative new ways to find and treat more people with the major risk factors for cardiovascular health issues, including rolling out blood pressure checks in high-street pharmacies for people over 40, making free blood pressure monitors available to 220,000 people at increased risk, and rapidly rolling out blood-thinning drugs to help save thousands of lives.
Juliet Bouverie OBE, Chief Executive Officer at the Stroke Association, said: “These new figures support our own research that there’s been a steep rise in the number of people affected by stroke over the last 20 years, particularly among those of working age. The Stroke Association helps people with life after stroke and these increases highlight how our specialist teams are needed now more than ever.
“Around 90,000 people survive a stroke every year in the UK, which changes their lives in an instant and impacts on their ability to live physically and mentally well. Stroke can be catastrophic for those affected – including a survivor’s loved ones – with many people experiencing speech problems, reduced mobility, and memory loss.
“Acting FAST is vital for stroke survival to minimise the level of disability a person may experience and to help improve their journey to recovery. So, we continue to encourage anyone who spots any of the 3 common signs of a stroke in someone to call 999 without delay. The quicker many stroke treatments are given, the better chance for a full recovery.”
