Stroke: key points

Stroke is predominantly a disease of elderly people. Both incidence and mortality rates are much higher among older than younger people.

Incidence

Amongst the Scottish population, the incidence of stroke has fallen over time. Although the 2008/09 data suggest that this decline may be starting to level off, it may only be a 'blip' in the longer term downward trend. In 2009/10, there is a slight decrease compared 2008/2009.
While a greater number of women have strokes than men, women tend to have strokes at an older age, however the age-standardised incidence rates for different age groups are higher for men than for women.
Risk factors for stroke include:
high blood pressure
high blood cholesterol
poor diet
obesity
smoking
physical inactivity
excessive alcohol intake
diabetes
socio-economic deprivation.

Stroke mortality rates in Scotland have fallen over time, but remain high compared to most other western European countries.
The rate for cerebrovascular disease (CVD) for under-75s (standardised by age) rose by 4% between 2007 and 2008. However, the rate has fallen by 59.1% over the period 1995-2010, meeting Scottish Government's target of a 50% reduction in premature stroke mortality over the period 1995-2010.
More women than men die from strokes, but as the female deaths tend to occur at an older age, the age-standardised mortality rates for several age groups are higher for men than women.
Mortality rates remain higher in west central Scotland and in deprived areas.