Hospital Admissions For Strokes Rise By 28% Since 2004 – As NHS Urges The Public To ‘Act FAST’
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).
England’s top doctor said the figures show that strokes “are not just a risk for older people” and that it’s vital that everyone is aware of the symptoms to look out for, and knows to dial 999 quickly.
Experts say 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.
With 38,000 stroke-related deaths each year, it is the fourth single leading cause of death in the UK – though more people survive them than ever, thanks to developments in NHS care.
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.”
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.”
“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.”
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, said:
“These figures are shocking, and even more so given 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 to live well for longer, but also because a healthy workforce supports our growth mission too. That’s why we’ve introduced health checks in workplaces and blood pressure checks on high streets to help catch illness earlier, and we’re also acting 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 turn the NHS around, which includes shifting the focus of healthcare from treatment to prevention, as part of our 10 Year Health Plan.”
