WINNING THE BATTLE AGAINST STROKES
THE number of people having strokes has steadily decreased by 43% since 2000 – but people are having them at a younger age according to data from the South London Stroke Register.
But researchers at King’s College London found that, although the overall rate had decreased, there had only been a small relative decrease in the black population.
They said this may be due to higher levels of high blood pressure and diabetes seen in black patients.
The study also found they tended to have strokes at a younger age, with a decrease in the average age at first stroke from 72.3 in 20002003, to 69.3 in 2012-2015.
The team attributes the overall reduced rate to a range of factors including improved prevention measures such as medication like statins.
Reduced rates of smoking and drinking are also thought to be an important factor as making these lifestyle changes can significantly lower people’s risk of stroke.
The serious condition occurs when blood supply to part of the brain is cut off.
Strokes – caused when blood supply to part of the brain is cut off – are a leading cause of death and disability in the UK, with more than 32,000 stroke-related deaths each year.
The best way to help prevent a stroke is to eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and avoid smoking and drinking too much alcohol.
Study author Dr Yanzhong Wang, senior lecturer in medical statistics at King’s College London, said: “It’s positive to see the rate of stroke in south London reducing, and we hope these findings will help to plan future policy to prevent strokes in the population.
“In particular, more work is needed to identify individuals at risk early, and to work with them to introduce preventative measures early.”