The number of people admitted to hospital following a stroke has risen by 28% in the past 20 years, new NHS analysis has found.

NHS England data shows a rise to 111,137 stroke admissions in England in 2023/24 – up from 87,069 in 2004/05 – driven in part by an aging population and the impact of lifestyle factors on the nation’s cardiovascular health.

There was also a 55% increase in admissions among 50-59-year-olds (8,063 in 2004/05 versus 12,533 in 2023/24) – the biggest increase of any age group. This compares with a 42% increase for those aged 60 to 69 and a 25% increase for those aged 70 to 79.

The figures come as the NHS launched a major campaign urging the public to call 999 straight away if anyone experiences any of the 3 most common stroke symptoms, including struggling to smile (Face) or raise an arm (Arms), or blur their words (Speech).

England’s top doctor said the figures showed strokes were “not just a risk for older people” and it was vital everyone was aware of the symptoms to look out for and knew how to call quickly 999.

Experts say the rise in hospitalizations among 50-59-year-olds can be linked to a number of factors, including better detection and reporting, high blood pressure, obesity, poor diet and lack of exercise.

The new NHS ‘Act FAST’ campaign was launched this week with an ad showing these 3 symptoms – a man who recognizes that his partner is struggling to smile while watching TV, a decorator who suddenly can’t picks up the paint roller and a grandmother struggling to read her grandson a bedtime story – which will be broadcast on TV, on-demand and radio in England until mid-December.

As part of the campaign’s launch, a powerful new film has also been released, featuring stroke survivors listening to audio recordings of the 999 calls that saved their lives.

They include Pete, 59, from Bristol, who was getting ready for work one morning when he noticed he was struggling to lift his right arm to brush his teeth and eat his cornflakes and the phone.

When he found he couldn’t climb the stairs, he called for his wife, Tracey. She was unable to understand him as his speech was slurred so she called 999 straight away.

Pete arrived at the hospital, where doctors told him he had suffered a stroke. He spent 6 days in hospital with daily physiotherapy, speech therapy and health checks at work before being discharged to continue his recovery at home.

The rehabilitation process was intense, but Pete was determined to return to work as an insurance inspector. 3 months after his stroke, Pete returned to work part-time and has since increased his hours.

pete said: “The symptoms may not seem like much, but catching the early signs is what saved my life when I had a stroke one morning before work.

“After struggling to lift my arm to brush my teeth and slurring my speech, my wife Tracey’s quick action in calling 999 meant I got the urgent care I needed. Thanks to her and the quick treatment I received, I am now back at work and feeling positive about my recovery.”

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted. Without prompt treatment, a stroke can lead to death or long-term disabilities such as paralysis, memory loss, and communication problems.

With 38,000 stroke deaths each year, it is the fourth leading cause of death in the UK – although more people are surviving it than ever before thanks to developments in NHS care.

A stroke can happen to anyone at any age, but those at increased risk include people over the age of 50, people from black or South Asian backgrounds, or those living with pre-existing conditions such as high blood pressure , diabetes or sickle cell disease.

Dr David Hargroves, NHS National Clinical Director for Stroke and Consultant Stroke Physician, said: “The significant increase in the number of people of all age groups experiencing a stroke is worrying and highlights the importance of our new NHS campaign to urge the public that although the first sign of a stroke may not seem like much , face or arm or speech, at the first sign it’s time to call 999.

“Thanks to greater awareness of symptoms and advances in NHS care, more people are now surviving stroke than ever before, but there is much more to be done to help save lives and reduce their long-term impact. Acting FAST remains vital – whether it’s a friend, loved one or even a passer-by, dialing 999 quickly saves lives.”

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS National Medical Director, said: “The increase in admissions seen among those in their fifties reiterates very clearly that, although 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 how to dial 999 quickly.

“There are likely to be 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 cardiovascular health. for working age people aged fifty and sixty.

“Not only is stroke one of the biggest killers in England, but it can lead to a life-changing impact on so many other families – a greater awareness of the need to act quickly and call 999, alongside other NHS interventions to support people to take control of their cardiovascular health, it could help save and protect many lives.”

Over the past few years, NHS teams have launched innovative new ways to find and treat more people with major risk factors for cardiovascular health problems, including running blood pressure checks in high street pharmacies for over 40s, creating the free arterial. monitors available to 220,000 people at high risk and fast-tracking blood-thinning drugs to help save thousands of lives.

Juliet Bouverie OBE, chief executive of the Stroke Association, said: “These new figures support our own research that there has been a steep rise in the number of people affected by stroke over the past 20 years, particularly among those of working age. The Stroke Association helps people with life after stroke and these increases highlight that 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 affects their ability to live well physically and mentally. Stroke can be catastrophic for those affected – including the survivor’s loved ones – with many people experiencing speech problems, reduced mobility and memory loss.

“Action FAST is vital to surviving stroke, minimizing the level of disability a person may experience and helping to improve their journey to recovery. We therefore continue to encourage anyone who notices any of the 3 common signs of a stroke in someone to call 999 without delay. The sooner many stroke treatments are given, the greater the chance of a full recovery .”

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care 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 a poor diet.

“Prevention will always be better than cure. Not only because it means helping people live well for longer, but because a healthy workforce also supports our growth mission. That’s why we’ve introduced workplace health checks and high street blood pressure checks to help detect disease earlier, and we’re also taking action to prevent strokes in the first place by tackling the biggest killers , such as smoking and obesity.

“We will deliver the investment and reform needed to transform the NHS, which includes shifting the focus of care from treatment to prevention, as part of our 10-year health plan.”

Early signs of a stroke include:

• Facial weakness – it may be hard to smile and part of the face may droop (droop)
• Arm weakness – you may not be able to fully raise both arms and hold them there because of weakness or numbness in one arm
• Speech problems – you may slur your words or sound confused

Other symptoms that could be the first sign that you or someone else is having a stroke include:

• Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body (including the leg)
• Sudden vision loss or blurred vision in one or both eyes
• Sudden difficulty speaking or thinking of words
• Sudden memory loss or confusion
• Sudden severe headache
• Sudden dizziness, unsteadiness, or sudden fall, especially with any of the other signs

Visitwww.nhs.uk/ActFASTfor more information.