Stroke patients getting younger

More younger people in Cornwall, some as young as in their 20s, are suffering from strokes.

The number of sufferers who are still of working age is on the increase, according to health experts.

Every year, about 1,800 people in the county suffer the brain-injuring condition. Currently more than 300 of those are still of working age.

The increase is being partly blamed on modern lifestyles and habits, such as drink, bad diet and lack of exercise.

My mobility has improved, but you have to work at it, and it's never going to be 100% Stroke patient Kevin Sleeman

Stroke care co-ordinator with the North and East Cornwall Primary Care Trust, Elizabeth Field, said many of the factors that caused the condition were things that people could control.

She said: "A lot of the risk factors for stroke are related to lifestyles. Not all, but many.

"The classics, like drinking, smoking sedentary lifestyle, fatty foods; those sorts of things are the things people can take charge of and control for themselves.

She added: "A lot of the approach to stroke care is about prevention rather than just focussing on the aftercare."

Recognise the impact

South west information officer for the Stroke Association, Colin Crowther, said: "It's always been regarded as the illness of the elderly.

"There is increasing evidence of people... not left with the effects for the odd year or so, but for many decades so it's important that people recognise the impact of stroke and the major risks factors associated with it then look at their general lifestyle."

Kevin Sleeman, who lives in Launceston, was just 45 when he had a severe stroke four-and-a-half years ago.

He spent two weeks in Plymouth's Derriford Hospital and then three months in a stroke unit before returning home.

He said: "I woke up one morning totally blind and paralysed.

"My sight came back pretty swiftly, though I have only 50%; and my mobility has improved, but you have to work at it, and it's never going to be 100%."