Healthy living
Body matters
Women unaware of stroke risk
Women are putting their lives at risk by being unaware of simple lifestyle changes that could significantly lower their chances of having a stroke, says The Stroke Association
A survey carried out by market researchers GfK NOP on behalf of the charity questioned 1,000 people and found that 60 per cent of women had no idea what their blood pressure was and 67 per cent did not know what a normal reading should be.
The survey also revealed that more than half of women on medication for high blood pressure did not take their tablets regularly, increasing their chances of having a stroke. Research has shown that 40 per cent of all strokes could be prevented by controlling high blood pressure.
A second GfK NOP survey of a further 1,000 adults revealed that 83 per cent of women did not know that lack of exercise increased the risk of stroke while around 72 per cent were unaware that poor diet and alcohol intake were also risk factors.
‘Many women will be blissfully unaware that they may have high blood pressure caused by the lifestyle choices they make,’ said Joe Korner, Director of External Affairs at The Stroke Association. ‘Regular, excessive drinking, smoking, poor diet and lack of exercise mean that women are pushing their blood pressure to dangerous levels without realising it.’
The Stroke Association is keen to increase women’s awareness of the risks and is urging women to have their blood pressure tested regularly.
‘People do not realise that by making very small lifestyle changes they can dramatically reduce the risk of having a stroke. For example, moderate exercise can decrease the chances of having a stroke by 27 per cent and by eating your ‘five-a-day’ you can reduce the risk by a quarter,’ added Korner.
Every year around 150,000 people have a stroke in the UK. It generally affects people over the age of 65 and is more common in men than women. A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off, leading to brain cells being damaged or destroyed. The first symptoms of stroke strike very suddenly and can include paralysis of one side of the body, slurred speech and confusion.
The likelihood of having a stroke increases with age because our arteries tend to get clogged up with cholesterol and other fatty deposits. People with high blood pressure and diabetes are more at risk.
Getting your blood pressure checked is simple and painless – your GP or a practice nurse can carry it out at your surgery and some pharmacies also offer the service. The optimal blood pressure is 120/80mmHg and a high blood pressure is anything above 140/90mmHg.
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Information on this site is for interest only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult your own doctor about any specific health concerns.
