BEIJING, May 19 -- Some 1.88 percent of China's population suffered a stroke in 2011, up from 0.27 percent in 1986, according to a Wang Longde, an academic with the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

Wang, also vice director of a special committee on stroke treatment under the National Health and Family Planning Commission, revealed that more cases were reported in rural areas than in urban regions, more among male than female.

A study found that the higher one's education level is, the lower the risk of suffering a stroke. Also, smoking, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and obesity are more likely to cause stroke in those aged above 40.

While the study found that older people are more likely to suffer a stroke, it also noted that China's stroke patients are getting younger.

Half of the stroke patients still belong to the workforce, according to Wang.