THE number of people suffering strokes in East Lancashire has risen to 689 per year over the last 10 years.

The figures released by the East Lancashire NHS Trust show that the number has increased from 582 in 2004/5, reaching a peak of 757 from 2012/13 before decreasing to it’s current level.

Over the last decade the highest number of men suffering strokes in one year was 382 in 2012/13 and the highest number of women was 389 from 2013/14.

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The figures come after the Stroke Association released its own data showing that the number of strokes occurring in men across England aged between 40 and 54 has gone up by nearly half (46 per cent) in less than 15 years, while it has risen by 30 per cent in women.

In East Lancashire, the number of men between 40 and 54 suffering strokes has risen from 6.64 per cent from 2004/5 to 10.65 per cent from 2014/15.

It rose from 5.83 per cent to 11.11 per cent over the same period for women.

Overall, the number of strokes occurring in people of working age (20 to 64) rose by a quarter during the same period.

The charity said its analysis of hospital data shows that stroke, which occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is suddenly cut off, does not just happen to older people.

It also warned its findings have serious implications for the UK economy, as more people of working-age will be forced to live with a loss of income due to death and disability, already costing £1.3 billion each year.

It carried out a survey, which found that people who have suffered stroke are struggling to get back to work due to a lack of understanding.

Just one in 20 employers recognised cognitive difficulties as a symptom of stroke while just half of those asked had heard of the government’s Access to Work Scheme.

Russ McLean, chairman of the Pennine Lancashire Patient Voices Group, said: “The national figures look very bad and it follows that the numbers found in East Lancashire are also too high.

“It’s very worrying that so many more people are suffering from strokes and I hope that this issue can be addressed.

“It clearly is not just an issue amongst older people and there needs to be more awareness of this.”

The Stroke Association’s chief executive, Jon Barrick, said: “These figures show that stroke can no longer be seen as a disease of older people.”

The East Lancashire NHS Trust was unavailable for comment as the Lancashire Telegraph went to press.