Reducing the risk of stroke
Whether you have had a stroke and would like to reduce the risk of having another or would like to reduce the risk of a stroke happening in the first place, there are many organisations offering support.
Diet and healthy living
Age UK
Helpline (England and Wales): 0800 169 6565
Helpline (Scotland): 0845 125 9732
Helpline (Northern Ireland): 0808 808 7575
The ‘Health’ section of this site provides useful information on staying healthy and active. It also has a section on the charity’s ‘Fit as a Fiddle’ programme of local projects to improve the health and wellbeing of people aged over 50.
Consensus Action on Salt and Health (CASH)
Provides information on salt and the harmful effects of eating too much salt.
Weight Concern
Telephone: 020 7679 1853
Advice and information on healthy eating and weight loss for prevention and treatment of obesity.
Smoking
Action on Smoking and Health (ASH)
Campaigns to eliminate the harm caused by tobacco. Provides information on the effects of smoking and on finding support to give up smoking, including the helplines available.
Quit
Helpline: 0800 00 22 00
Practical help, advice and support for all smokers who want to stop. Practical guides on how to quit are available to download.
Alcohol and drugs
Alcohol Concern
Tel. 020 7264 0510
Offers online information and an alcohol services directory for finding local support for anyone with alcohol-related problems in England and Wales.
Alcohol Focus Scotland
Telephone: 0141 572 6700
Information on how alcohol affects health and on where to find local support for alcohol-related problems.
Drinkaware
Works to positively change behaviour to reduce alcohol misuse and alcohol-related harm. Provides information on how alcohol affects health and tips and tools on changing drinking habits.
UK Drug Rehab
Basic information on the possible harmful effects of recreational drugs and alcohol and on how to access treatment and rehabilitation for drug-related problems.
Blood problems
AntiCoagulation Europe (ACE)
Provides information and advice on use of oral anticoagulation therapy, such as warfarin, and anti-platelet medication, such as aspirin, as well as on prevention of thrombosis, including deep vein thrombosis (DVTs).
Blood Pressure Association
Helpline: 0845 241 0989
Advice and information on living with high blood pressure and on lifestyle changes and medications that can help to control blood pressure.
Hughes Syndrome Foundation
Telephone: 020 7188 8217
Offers information and support to those affected by Hughes Syndrome, the ‘sticky blood’ condition also known as Antiphospholipid Syndrome.
Lifeblood: The Thrombosis Charity
Campaigns to increase awareness of thrombosis among the public. Has information available on reducing the risk of blood clots – including venous thrombosis and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – when travelling, undergoing surgery or during any hospital stay. You can download publications from the website.
Sickle Cell Society
020 8961 7795
Provides support, care and advice to those in the community affected by Sickle Cell disorders. Their website has leaflets to download and gives details of Sickle Cell Centres around the UK for support groups.
Heart problems
Atrial Fibrillation Association (AFA)
Helpline: 01789 451 837
Information, support and access to established, new or innovative treatments for atrial fibrillation. Their website has an online forum and allows you to download a podcast or publications.
British Heart Foundation
Helpline: 0300 330 3311
Provides a wide variety of information on heart conditions and on controlling risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The Heart Helpline provides information and support on all matters heart-related and has cardiac nurses available.
Heart UK
Helpline: 0845 450 5988
Works to prevent premature deaths caused by high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease. Provides information on changing lifestyle and diet to reduce cholesterol, and on inherited high cholesterol and taking statins. Helpline staffed by specialist nurses and dieticians.
Other factors and general
Helpline: 03000 030 555
Provides support and information, funds research and promotes better understanding of lung disease. Currently leading a major campaign to raise awareness of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and improve diagnosis and treatment. OSA is a sleep disorder in which a person experiences repeated apnoeas (stopping breathing) while they are asleep, because of a narrowing or complete closure of the airway in the upper throat. Untreated OSA causes excessive daytime sleepiness. It places a considerable strain on the body and is associated with a number of serious health problems, including stroke.
Diabetes UK
Helpline: 0845 120 2960
Campaigns for the interests of people with diabetes and provides practical support, information and other services to help people manage diabetes. Their website provides information on living with diabetes and diabetes-related recipes.
Medicine Guides
An online resource providing unbiased information about UK-licensed medicines. It includes a section on stroke-related medications.
National Childbirth Trust (NCT)
Helpline: 0300 33 00 770
There are particular risks of stroke associated with pregnancy. This organisation provides support and information on protecting the health of mother and baby during pregnancy, labour and following the birth. The above helpline is their general enquiry line.
Royal College of Anaesthetists
The ‘Patients’ section of this website includes information on the potential risks of anaesthetics and how these are minimised by anaesthetists’ training and equipment.
Read our publications:
How to prevent a stroke
Sut i atal strôc
High blood pressure and stroke
Healthy eating and stroke
Smoking and the risk of stroke
Alcohol and stroke
Atrial fibrillation (AF) and stroke
Diabetes and stroke