Stroke rates rocket; fuelled by obesity and drugs

Shockingly, Stroke rates have rocketed by a fifth among 35 to 54 year-olds in a decade, and this is being attributed to obesity and cocaine use.

Experts say that many under 55s are unaware they are at risk and so are not taking steps to protect themselves.

Deaths from strokes fell by 55 per cent overall between 2001 and 2010, thanks to better NHS care, says a British Medical Journal study of data from 800,000 victims. But, astonishingly, among 35 to 54 year olds the chance of suffering a stoke rose dramatically.

Oxford University researcher, Olena Seminog, said: "we think stroke risk among younger people is going up because of the obesity epidemic, diabetes, and alcohol and drug misuse, such as cocaine. Young people are not aware they need to go to their GP and get their blood pressure checked, and doctors are less likely to follow up someone in their 40s or 50s.

A stroke happens when a clot cuts off blood supply to the brain. Every year more than 150,000 Brits suffer a stroke.