Do you know the stroke risk factors and how to make healthier choices?
High blood pressure makes you more likely to have a stroke – but it can be reduced with lifestyle changes
High blood pressure affects thousands in East Sussex and the UK’s leading stroke charity, The Stroke Association, is working to help people understand their risk-factor and make healthy changes to their lifestyle to reduce their risk.
A new survey by the charity showed more than a third (40 per cent) of people in the South East do not know high blood pressure is the biggest risk factor for stroke, one of the leading causes of death and disability in the UK.
The charity described this as ‘really worrying’ because 88,583 people in the coastal West Sussex area and 35,985 in the Horsham and Mid Sussex area have high blood pressure.
Nationally, the results showed only one in 20 (six per cent) UK adults think they are at high risk of stroke. This is despite the fact that, in the UK, more than one in every five (21 per cent) adults will have a stroke in their lifetime. The research also found half (47 per cent) of the country, consistent with the figure in the South East, do not know high blood pressure is a top risk factor for stroke. Blood pressure is one of the biggest causes for stroke and 55 per cent of stroke patients have hypertension (high blood pressure) when they have their stroke. Smoking, drinking alcohol, being physically inactive and sitting for long periods can contribute to high blood pressure, diabetes, and being an unhealthy weight, all of which increase your risk of stroke. Anyone and everyone can start to reduce their risk of stroke by making small changes to their lifestyle.
This month saw the launch of the first national Stroke Prevention Day (January 14). The Stroke Association worked with its partners at the Rotary Club, LoSalt and Omron to help the people of East Sussex make #OneSmallChange to reduce their risk of stroke.
Juliet Bouverie, chief executive of the charity, said: “It’s often easiest to start off small and pick something that’s achievable for you.
“This may be swapping your after-work alcoholic drink for a soft one, getting up and moving regularly during the day, cutting down on salt or sugar or joining an online exercise group. We’d like you to pledge to make the change for three months, then let us know how you get on and how you found ways of sticking to your pledge.
“The things you tell us will help others across the UK to reduce their risk of stroke and lead a healthier lifestyle in 2021.
“Just go to our website www. stroke.org.uk/PreventionDay and receive tailored advice plus monthly emails with hints and tips.”
The Stroke Association said the changes that we make are really important because stroke can be easily prevented.
The charity said nine in 10 (89 per cent) strokes are associated with modifiable risk factors; elements of your lifestyle that can be changed to reduce your risk.
According to the INTERSTROKE study, the world’s largest study of stroke causes, the modifiable risk factors that cause the most strokes in countries such as the UK are high blood pressure, high body weight and poor diet.
Knowledge of the top risk factors for stroke was low across the board:
Three in four people (71 per cent) do not know weight is a top risk factor that can increase risk of stroke
Nine in ten people (87 per cent) do not know diet is a top risk factor that can increase your risk of stroke
Juliet said: “A stroke happens in the brain, the control centre for who we are and what we can do.
“Stroke is the fourth biggest cause of death in the UK, but it doesn’t need to be.
“For those that survive, the impact varies depending on which part of the brain is affected. It could be anything from wiping out your speech and physical abilities to affecting your emotions and personality.
“Many strokes can be avoided if you take action.
“When you don’t know your risk, you there’s no motivation to reduce it.
“Most people know that living a smoke-free life, drinking carefully and eating healthily is good for you, but it’s clear from our research that people aren’t always sure why these are important things to do.
“If more people understood the benefits of making healthy changes, more people would act to reduce their stroke risk.
“The biggest thing you can do reduce your risk of stroke is to start by making one small change.
“We want to help as many people as possible to understand the personal risk of stroke and make that first, positive step to prevent having one. It can happen to anyone, at any age and at any time, but we know that people who take steps to reduce their risk are less likely to have a stroke.”
The survey results found a lack of understanding of the risk factors that increase your risk of stroke and a lack of information being accessed to help people reduce their risk.
Three in four people (73 per cent) said they have had no information about stroke reduction recently.
This rocketed to more than four in five (85 per cent) of over-65s, who are most at risk of having a stroke.
A stroke strikes every five minutes in the UK and it changes lives in an instant.
It can happen to anyone, of any age, at any time. It is vital to know how to spot the warning signs of a stroke in yourself or someone else. Using the FAST test is the best way to do this.
Face: Can the person smile? Has their face fallen on one side?
Arms: Can the person raise both arms and keep them there?
Speech problems: Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say? Is their speech slurred?
Time: If you see any of these three signs, it is time to call 999.
Other warning signs include: Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body; sudden blurred vision or loss of sight in one or both eyes; sudden memory loss or confusion; dizziness; a fall or a sudden, severe headache. Anyone experiencing these should also call 999.
The Stroke Association works to support people to rebuild their lives after stroke.
The charity believes everyone deserves to live the best life they can after stroke.
From local support services and groups, to online information and support, anyone affected by stroke can visit www.stroke.org.uk or call the dedicated Stroke Helpline on 0303 3033 100 to find out about support available locally.
The Stroke Association provides specialist support, research and campaigning which are only possible with the courage and determination of the stroke community and the generosity of supporters.
Visit www.stroke.org.uk.
It’s often easiest to start off small and pick something achievable for you
JULIET BOUVERIE Stroke Association, chief executive