The number of people under 65 having strokes in Ireland has risen by more than a quarter in the last 7 years.

That works out as more than 300 more strokes per year among people of working age.

The figures were released as the Irish Heart Foundation begins its two day National Stroke Conference in Dublin.

Chris Macey, Head of Advocacy with the Irish Heart Foundation, says there's a number of reasons for the increasing number of strokes among younger people.