One in six will suffer a stroke
The number of stroke cases are set to soar, with one in six of us suffering attacks in our lives.
The figures, released to coincide with World Stroke Day, show that the brain attacks, caused by clots blocking the blood supple, kill someone worldwide every six seconds.
Researchers have however warned that a large majority of the cases are preventable.
More than 85 per cent of the cases can be avoided by making changes to the lifestyle and dietary habits such as eating fresh foos, avoiding alcohol and being physically active.
The figures show that there are more than a million victims every year in Europe. Around 150,000 of them are in the UK with 53,000 people dying.
Professor Freek Verheugt, of the European Societ of Cardioology, says: "Stroke is not an inevitable consequence of ageing. So be identifying and modifying risk factors there are opportunities to cut the incidence and mortality rate of this devastating condition."
As well as the risk facotrs, experts say it is also vital that people know the warning signs of a stroke.
These include sudden numbness, trouble speaking, loss of balance and a sudden severe headache with no apparent cause.