Around sixth (17%) of people around the globe are at risk of suffering strokes sometime during their lives, the European Society of Cardiology warned.

The European Society of Cardiology also warned that stroke accounts for a death every six seconds. They also warned that cases of stroke would jump from six million to eight million around the globe in the coming twenty years.

The harsh figures were revealed on October 29 to mark World Stroke Day.

Experts hold smoking, poor diet and lack of exercise responsible for stroke. However, they also claim that a large majority of store cases can be prevented by making simple changes to lifestyle and dietary habits.

Speaking on the topic, Prof Freek Verheugt said, “Stroke is not an inevitable consequence of ageing. So by identifying and modifying risk factors there are opportunities to cut the incidence and mortality rate of this devastating condition.”

Verheugt suggested that individuals with irregular heart beat must see a doctor as heart rhythm disorder could lead to stroke.

Strokes, which take place when blood vessels that carry oxygen to the brain get blocked or burst due to a clot, are the third largest cause of death in the UK after heart disease and cancer.