Stroke statistics: sources and definitions

This page outlines the sources and definitions used throughout the stroke statistics dashboards. Where possible, consistent definitions and the year with the most up-to-date data for all of the nations have been used.

Number of stroke patients per year

Stroke definition: ICD-10 codes I61, I63 and I64.

Timeframe: 2021/22 (England, Wales and NI), 2021 (Scotland).

Sources: Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme (SSNAP) and Scottish Stroke Care Audit (SSCA).

Geographies: Country.

Hospital admissions

Stroke definition: ICD-10 codes I60-64, G45 by national providers. Scotland is I61, I63 and I64 only by NHS board of residence and data are for hospital stays.

Timeframe: 2021/22 England; 2020/21 Wales; 2019/20 NI; 2021 Scotland.

Sources: England (HES); Scotland (ISD); Wales (PEDW); Northern Ireland (DoH)*.

*Hospital Inpatient System, Hospital Information Branch, Information & Analysis Directorate, Dept. Of Health, NI (not publicly available).

Geographies: Nation.

Stroke prevalence

Stroke definition: Patient with a stroke or TIA on a GP practice register.

Timeframe: England (2021/22); Scotland (2021), Wales (2019/20); Northern Ireland (2021/22).

Sources: England (NHS Digital); Scotland (ISD); Wales (StatsWales); Northern Ireland (DoH).

Geographies: Nation; England (2022 ISBs); Scotland (Health Board); Wales (Health Board); Northern Ireland (Health and Social Care Trust).

Leading cause of death

Stroke definition: ICD-10 I60-69. This ONS leading cause of death category covers cerebrovascular disease (including stroke) and is based on a WHO framework.

Timeframe: 2018 .

Source: ONS.

Geographies: Country: Nation.