PEOPLE suffering strokes may not be seeking medical help for fear of contracting Covid-19 in hospitals, a charity has warned. 

The Stroke Association and medical experts expressed fears over the weekend that thousands of people could be at risk of severe disability or even death if they don’t contact emergency services. 

NHS national clinical director for stroke Deb Lowe said that she has seen “quite striking reductions” in the number of people coming into hospital with symptoms of the condition.

“It appears that people aren’t seeking emergency help or going to hospital when they suspect a stroke, possibly due to fear of the virus or not wanting to be a burden on the NHS,” she said. 

Ms Lowe stressed: “Stroke is a medical emergency and it’s essential that you call 999 straight away if you suspect you or someone around you is having a stroke.”

She gave assurances that hospitals are “equipped and ready to treat stroke patients.” 

Fears that people are putting off medical attention for serious illnesses have also been prompted by a drastic fall in A&E attendances. 

Visits to A&E this month have dropped by 50 per cent to about one million compared with April last year, according to Public Health England’s figures. 

The Stroke Association said that although data for emergency-department admissions had not yet been published, it predicted a similar decline.  

On Saturday NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens stressed that people must call the emergency services for strokes, heart attacks and other killer conditions — and could risk developing long-term health conditions if they don’t. 

“Equally concerning is people who experience mini-stroke and then dismiss it as ‘just a funny-turn’,” Stroke Association chief executive Juliet Bouverie said.

“A mini-stroke is a warning that a major stroke is on its way, so you shouldn’t ignore the signs — and you need to seek help.”

Mini-strokes are temporary disruptions of blood to the brain, but unlike strokes, don’t leave permanent damage.

The charity said that in 2019, there were almost 90,000 strokes in England alone, while almost 21,000 patients were admitted to hospital with a mini-stroke.