Under-65s making up higher proportion of stroke cases, study finds

Under-65s are making up a larger proportion of people in Scotland suffering from strokes, a study has found.

The publication of Scottish strokes statistics found the percentage of Scots having a stroke before pension age is up 19.7% in the last 10 years.

The figure for people under 45 has also risen, by 8.9%, in the last decade.

There was a decrease in the overall number of people having strokes – from 9,851 in 2022/23 to 9,792 last year.

The number of Scots dying from strokes has risen by 6.3% since 2022/23 – the highest rate since 2016.

Overall, the rate of cerebrovascular disease, including stroke, has decreased by 9% over the past decade.

There were 3,806 such deaths in Scotland in 2023.

The death rate for those in the most deprived areas was 62% higher than those from the least deprived areas.

Stroke Association Scotland said nine in 10 strokes are preventable with lifestyle changes to diet, fitness, alcohol and smoking.

The charity is using Stroke Prevention Day on Thursday to raise awareness about the link between high blood pressure and stroke.

Ian Stark, a hospital ambulance liaison officer from Edinburgh, suffered from a stroke on his way to work in 2017.

The 60-year-old had been dealing with headaches and high blood pressure in the run-up to the incident.

“I should have paid attention to my high blood pressure sooner and I might have prevented my stroke,” he said.

“I would have advised a patient very differently. I wholeheartedly support the Stroke Association’s advice to check your blood pressure regularly – it can point to potential health problems.”

John Watson, associate director for the Stroke Association in Scotland, said: “People in Scotland are significantly more likely to have a stroke than elsewhere in the UK, and more likely to die from it.

“It’s a complex picture, but for Stroke Prevention Day the Stroke Association is simply asking people to check their blood pressure regularly.

“High blood pressure is the cause of around half of all strokes and checking for it could prevent life-changing disability and death.

“High blood pressure can be treated with medication while exercising, lowering salt intake, reducing alcohol consumption and quitting smoking can all pay dividends.”

Scottish Labour health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said: “These heartbreaking figures show the poorest communities in Scotland are being hit hardest by health challenges.

“More progress needs to be made in preventing strokes and saving the lives of those who have suffered from a stroke.

“It is a scandal that Scots from the most deprived communities are so much more likely to lose their lives because of a stroke – the SNP must work tirelessly to tackle Scotland’s shameful health inequalities.”

The Scottish Government has been approached for comment.