DOUBLE the number of middle-aged men in Bolton are suffering strokes than were eight years ago.

New figures by the Stroke Association reveal stroke hospital admissions for men aged 40 to 54 soared 47 per cent between 2006 and 2014 – from 652 to 961.

The number of women the same age admitted to hospital suffering from strokes increased by almost a third – from 578 in 2006 to 740 in 2014.

Statistics released by the charity suggest the overall number of strokes occurring in people aged 20 to 64 across the region has risen by a quarter in less than a decade.

Stroke Association experts blame an increase in sedentary and unhealthy lifestyles on the rise in strokes among younger people – but admit changes in hospital admission practice could also be skewing the figures.

Chris Larkin, regional head of operations at the Stroke Association, said: “These figures show that stroke can no longer be seen as a disease of older people. There is an alarming increase in the numbers of people having a stroke in working age.

“This comes at a huge cost, not only to the individual, but also to their families and to health and social care services.

“The simple truth is that we must do more to raise people’s awareness of risk factors, to help prevent them from having a stroke. With many more stroke patients now receiving emergency medical treatment, we also need the right health and social care services available.

“People must have the support they need to make the best possible recovery and avoid having to cope for decades with the disabilities that stroke can bring.”

Changes mean patients who suffer a stroke in Bolton are sent immediately to the specialist unit at Salford Royal for treatment, even if they then return to the Royal Bolton Hospital.

Therefore, Bolton NHS Foundation Trust was unable to provide a breakdown of stroke admissions by age and gender for the Royal Bolton Hospital.

But figures from Bolton’s Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) reveal deaths from strokes are almost 40 per cent higher than the national average for men in the borough, and 20 per cent higher for women.

In some parts of Bolton, such as the most deprived areas around the town centre, the mortality rate from stroke is more than double what is seen nationally.

The Stroke Association claims strokes cost the UK economy about £9 billion a year – with loss of income due to death or disability alone costing more than £1.3 billion annually.