Stroke impacting more working-age people
New data from the Stroke Association has shown an alarming increase in the number of working-age people affected by stroke.
As well as the obvious health implications, stroke can severely impact a survivor’s ability to earn or maintain an income, which can have a knock-on effect on things such as lifestyle and rehabilitation.
Sharp rise among 40-54 age group
The number of strokes occurring in men aged between 40 and 54 has increased by almost 50% in less than 15 years. In 2000, there were over 4,260 hospital admissions for stroke among men in this age group in England. This figure soared to 6,221 in 2014 – an increase of 46%. The number of women aged between 40 and 54 admitted to hospital after a stroke in the last 15 years has also dramatically increased by almost 30% – from 3,529 in 2000, to 4,604 in 2014.
Managing your stroke risk
You can reduce your risk of stroke by making a few simple lifestyle changes. The Stroke Association has highlighted six key areas to focus on:
- Manage underlying health conditions, such as high blood pressure or cholesterol
- Eat a healthy diet
- Exercise regularly
- Stop smoking
- Cut down on alcohol
- Maintain a healthy weight
For more detail, please visit www.stroke.org.uk
Preparing for the unexpected
Stroke survivors who are unable to return to work often struggle to cope with a fall in income and a benefts system which does not recognise the full impact of stroke
You can take control of this uncertainty by putting fnancial measures in place that would protect you, should the unexpected happen.
For instance, a critical illness insurance policy pays out a tax-free lump sum on the diagnoses of certain life-threatening or debilitating conditions – including stroke. This can be used to pay off your mortgage, pay for treatment, rehabilitation or home alterations, or anything else you choose.
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