According to the Stroke Association, around 100,000 people in the UK have a stroke every year. Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the UK and the leading cause of disability – with an episode occurring every five minutes.
While statistics like these can be frightening, the good news is that there are plenty of ways to reduce your risk of having a stroke. And, knowing the warning signs of stroke and what to do in the event of someone having one can save lives.
Here, we’ll cover everything you need to know about stroke.
Note: If you suspect you or a loved one may be experiencing a stroke, it’s important to call 999 immediately.
What is a stroke?
A stroke, sometimes called a brain attack, occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted, either because of a blood clot or burst blood vessel.
A lack of blood flow equals a lack of oxygen, so brain cells begin to die within minutes – causing lasting brain damage, long-term disability, and, in some cases, death, if not treated quickly.
There are two main types of stroke: ischemic stroke and haemorrhagic stroke.
Ischemic strokes
Ischemic strokes are the most common type of stroke. They occur when a blood vessel in the brain becomes narrowed or a blood clot forms, causing a blockage.
Sometimes, if the blockage is only temporary, this may result in a transient ischemic attack (TIA), often called a mini stroke. TIAs can feel like a funny turn, often causing confusion or slurred speech for a short time before the person starts to feel well again.
Haemorrhagic stroke
Haemorrhagic strokes occur when a blood vessel ruptures, causing a bleed in the brain and permanently damaging the surrounding brain cells.
The British Heart Foundation’s video has more information on ischemic strokes and haemorrhagic strokes.
What are the symptoms and warning signs of a stroke?
The warning signs of a stroke can happen suddenly. According to the NHS, a stroke typically results in…
- Facial weakness – one side of the face may droop, making it difficult to smile
- Arm weakness – it may be difficult to fully lift both arms and keep them there due to weakness or numbness in one arm
- Speech problems – slurring words or sounding confused
If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to call 999 immediately. The NHS’ FAST acronym, which stands for: Face, Arms, Speech, and Time to call 999, is useful to remember.
Other symptoms of a stroke can include…
- Weakness or numbness down one side of the body
- Blurred vision or loss of sight in one or both eyes
- Finding it difficult to speak or think of words
- Feeling dizzy or falling over
- Confusion or memory loss
- A severe headache
- Feeling nauseous or being sick
In some cases, symptoms of a stroke may disappear on their own after a short period of time. However, even if symptoms do disappear, it’s still important to get medical help immediately.
The long-term effects of stroke depend on which area of the brain was damaged and to what extent. The most common types of disability after stroke are changes to speech, learning, and understanding, and weakness or paralysis down one side of the body.
Health checks for living well, longer
We all have different reasons for getting health checks – reassurance, motivation, curiosity.
With Bupa, you’ll find the health check that gives you the right knowledge for you. Because when you know what’s going on, you’re empowered to take action, and feel better.
What can increase your risk of having a stroke?
While anyone can have a stroke, there are several factors that can increase your risk. We’ll cover some of these below.
An irregular heartbeat
Having an irregular heartbeat, called atrial fibrillation, increases your risk of stroke. This is because, when your heart beats irregularly, there’s more chance for blood to pool and form clots, which can block blood flow.
According to the British Heart Foundation, atrial fibrillation can increase a person’s risk of stroke by up to five times if left untreated.
Age
Age is a significant risk factor for stroke, with over 70% of all cases occurring in people over 65.
This is largely because our arteries tend to harden and narrow with age – making them more susceptible to blockages.
High blood pressure
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a risk factor for various health conditions, including stroke. The Stroke Association has linked high blood pressure with around 50% of all stroke cases.
Blood pressure is the measure of the force of blood inside your arteries. High blood pressure can damage artery walls throughout the body – including those in the brain – making them more prone to rupture or blockages. It can also damage blood vessels – causing them to become harder and narrower (known as atherosclerosis).
High cholesterol
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that circulates in the blood. While we need some cholesterol to stay healthy (for example, it supports healthy digestion), high cholesterol increases the risk of stroke. This is because, if left to build up in blood vessels, it can form plaques that obstruct blood flow to the brain.
Diabetes
Research suggests that people with diabetes are around twice as likely to experience a stroke than those without diabetes.
This is because high blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels – potentially causing blood clots and blockages that can interrupt blood flow to the brain.
Smoking
According to the Stroke Association, smokers are around three times more likely to have a stroke than non-smokers. And, the more you smoke, the greater your risk.
Among other things, smoking reduces oxygen levels in the blood, increases the risk of high blood pressure, and can trigger atrial fibrillation (a type of irregular heartbeat) – all of which significantly increase the risk of stroke.
Being overweight
Carrying excess weight is a significant risk factor for stroke because, among other things, it can increase cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and make you more susceptible to heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Research suggests that where you carry excess weight can make a difference, too. For example, studies have found that excess weight around the midsection is a stronger risk factor in itself than BMI alone. The risk of stroke increases even further if you’re obese.
Health checks for living well, longer
We all have different reasons for getting health checks – reassurance, motivation, curiosity.
With Bupa, you’ll find the health check that gives you the right knowledge for you. Because when you know what’s going on, you’re empowered to take action, and feel better.
What can I do to reduce my risk of having a stroke?
Research shows that taking steps to address major risk factors for stroke can make all the difference when it comes to reducing your risk. We’ll cover some of the most helpful things you can do below.
Note: If you’re over 40, experts recommend having regular health checks to pick up on any changes that can increase your risk of stroke. If you’re black, Chinese, or South Asian, you can have diabetes checks with your GP from the age of 25.
1. Take steps to lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels
High cholesterol and high blood pressure are significant risk factors for stroke. However, because they rarely cause symptoms, it’s important to get checked.
The good news is that there are several ways to lower cholesterol and blood pressure – and studies show that even small decreases can make all the difference to stroke risk.
Take this study, which found that, for every 10 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure, the risk of stroke decreases by around 30%. Other research has found that for every 1 mmol/L decrease in LDL (bad) cholesterol, stroke risk reduces by around 20%.
There are various ways to take hold of your cholesterol and blood pressure levels – for example, eating more fibre and whole foods, and reducing your salt intake. To learn more, check out our articles: 10 natural ways to lower blood pressure, 5 tips to help lower cholesterol, and 14 blood pressure-lowering foods to add to your diet.
2. Get checked for atrial fibrillation
Around 1.2 million people in the UK have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, which is a significant risk factor for stroke. However, according to the British Heart Foundation, there may be a further 500,000 people living undiagnosed with the condition.
Research also shows that many people with AF aren’t taking medication to manage it. In line with this, experts estimate around 12,000 deaths caused by AF-related stroke could be prevented each year if the condition was managed properly.
For this reason, it’s important to get checked by your GP. The main method used to diagnose AF is an electrocardiogram (ECG) test, which can be carried out by a healthcare professional.
3. Exercise regularly and take steps to improve your diet
Getting regular exercise and eating a healthy, balanced diet are among the most effective things you can do to reduce your risk of stroke – and there are a few reasons why.
As you might expect, staying active and eating a healthy diet is linked with lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels, as well as healthy weight maintenance. Exercise also improves blood flow to the brain (helping to prevent blood clots that could lead to a stroke). And, studies have linked a higher intake of certain nutrients, including vitamin C, with a reduced risk of stroke.
If you’d like to improve your lifestyle but feel unsure where to start, head over to the diet and nutrition and fitness and exercise sections of our website. Here, you’ll find everything from simple swaps for a healthier lifestyle to quick and healthy recipes.
4. Moderate your alcohol intake
We know from research that drinking too much can increase the risk of stroke by contributing to various health issues, including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and atrial fibrillation.
As a result, limiting your intake can reduce your risk. For help with this, check out our guides on making healthier drink choices and dry January (which can be applied at any time of year!).
5. Take steps to regulate blood sugar levels and manage diabetes
If you have diabetes, taking steps to manage the condition is important for reducing your risk of stroke.
For help with this, check out our articles: 12 science-backed ways to lower or regulate blood sugar levels and Type 2 diabetes – what are the warning signs, and how can I reduce my risk?
6. Quit smoking
Quitting smoking dramatically reduces your risk of stroke. And the good news is that your risk begins to reduce as soon as you quit. According to experts, after five years of quitting your risk could be around the same as someone who’s never smoked.
For support with stopping smoking, you might find our article, 7 tips for quitting smoking, useful.
Health checks for living well, longer
We all have different reasons for getting health checks – reassurance, motivation, curiosity.
With Bupa, you’ll find the health check that gives you the right knowledge for you. Because when you know what’s going on, you’re empowered to take action, and feel better.
Final thoughts…
Stroke is a leading cause of death and complex disability in the UK. While some risk factors, such as age, are out of our control – there’s plenty you can do to help reduce your risk of stroke.
For further reading, head over to the general health section of our website. Here, you’ll find information on everything from heart and bone health to important health checks for over 50s.
What steps have you taken to reduce your risk of stroke? Is there anything else that you’d like to add? We’d be interested to hear from you in the comments below.
