What can you do to reduce your chances of having a stroke?

1.  Factors which increase your risk of stroke fall into three main groups:

• those which you can take steps to tackle yourself

• those which your doctor can do something about

• those which cannot be changed - but if they apply to you it is particularly important to do something about the risk factors which can be tackled

2.  Factors which do not increase the risk of stroke.

There are several major factors which are known to increase the risk of stroke which you can do something about by making changes to your lifestyle.  These are:

• smoking
• lack of physical exercise
• drinking too much alcohol
• eating an unhealthy diet.

Risk factors which your doctor can do something about

Tackling some of the other risk factors for stroke will mean a trip to your doctor or practice nurse.  These risk factors include:

• high blood pressure (hypertension)
• a past history of transient ischaemic attack (TIA or 'mini stroke')
• heart disease and atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries caused by fatty deposits
• atrial fibrillation - a type of irregular heartbeat
• diabetes
• taking the Pill.

Don't be afraid to make an appointment with your GP to discuss any risk factors which you are concerned about.  Doctors are only too keen to help prevent strokes and they regard it as a very important part of their work.

Other risk factors for stroke are less easy to tackle.  Older people are at higher risk of stroke - but there is nothing you can do about getting older!  People of Asian or Afro-Caribbean origin are at higher risk, as are people who have a strong family history of stroke.  If any of these risk factors applies to you, it is especially important that you take steps to reduce your chance of stroke by paying attention to the risk factors which you or your doctor can do something about.

It is also helpful to be clear about factors which are not associated with stroke.  Some people incorrectly think that strokes can be caused by stress.  Others believe that exercise and sexual intercourse can cause stroke - again, untrue.  In fact, regular exercise can lower blood pressure and so reduce the risk of stroke.