What you can do today to lower your risk of stroke

Tomorrow is Stroke Prevention Day. Stroke can be life-threatening and stroke is the most common cause of adult disability in the UK. Two-thirds of people who survive a stroke find themselves living with a disability.

The terrfiying fact is that it can happen to anyone at any age. The good news is there are some simple ways to prevent strokes.

What is a stroke?

A stroke is when blood stops flowing to a part of your brain. Stroke symptoms often appear suddenly and can be identified using the FAST acronym: Face drooping 😕, Arm weakness 💪, Speech difficulty 🗣️, and Time to call emergency services 🚑.

How to lower your risk of stroke?

🩺 Check your blood pressure regularly

High blood pressure is the single biggest risk factor for stroke. Therefore, checking your blood pressure regularly is key. If you have high blood pressure, check it daily or weekly as advised by your doctor.

If you have a validated digital monitor at home, perfect. If not, you can use this link to find a pharmacy that offers blood pressure checks in Portsmouth using your postcode (free if you are aged 40 or over).

🚭 Stop smoking or vaping

Quitting helps improve circulation and lowers blood pressure almost immediately. You can find NHS stop smoking support service using this link.

🍺 Limit alcohol 

Have no more than one glass of alcohol per day. If you or your children are under 25, you can contact Drug and Alcohol Support Service (DASS) in Portsmouth to get substance misuse support.

🧂 Reduce salt and include plenty of fruit and vegetables

Choose fresh foods, limit processed meals, and aim for a variety of fruits and vegetables daily.

🚶‍♂️ Aim for 20 minutes of moderate activity each day

Regular physical activity like brisk walking, cycling, or swimming can reduce stroke risk.

As always, if you have any more questions, please contact Healthwatch Portsmouth at info@healthwatchportsmouth.co.uk. We are here to help.