Stroke
4. Facts about stroke
- Each year around 100,000 people in the UK have a first stroke and a further 50,000 have a second or subsequent stroke. The majority of these people are over 65.
- Although its impact varies widely from individual to individual, stroke is a major cause of disability and the fourth largest cause of death in the UK after cancer, heart disease and respiratory disorders.
- Nearly one person in every three who has a stroke will die within the first year following the stroke; usually in the first ten days. Of those surviving, around 65 per cent will make a reasonable recovery, but 35 per cent will still need a great deal of help to manage with day-to-day tasks, often from both family and professionals.
- At any one time about 340,000 people in the UK are experiencing the disabling effects of stroke. Just over 80 per cent of all strokes occur in people aged 64 and over. Men are more at risk of stroke than women. About 25 per cent of all men and 20 per cent of women will experience a stroke if they reach the age of 85.
