Steps to reduce your risk
There are some steps that you and your doctor can take together.
Get your blood pressure checked
High blood pressure causes the arteries to fur up (atherosclerosis) and puts extra strain on the blood vessels. You may not know if you have high blood pressure, so you should have it checked regularly. (A normal healthy adult blood pressure is less than 140/90mmHg.)
Make sure other medical conditions are controlled
A number of other medical problems increase your risk of a stroke, including:
- heart disease
- atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat)
- high cholesterol
- diabetes.
Your doctor can prescribe medication to help keep these conditions under control.
Tackle stress and depression
Many things in life – like overwork, redundancy, family problems and bereavement – can lead to stress and depression. These take a physical toll on the body, and if they are not treated they can contribute to long-term health problems.
It’s important that you get any help you need from your doctor or other health professional.
Find out about the contraceptive pill and HRT
Hormones can make the blood thicker and more likely to clot, and they may increase the risk of high blood pressure. Hormone treatments for women include:
- the combined contraceptive pill (containing both oestrogen and progesterone)
- hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Always discuss hormone treatments with your doctor and make a decision that is right for you.
Links
Why a stroke happens
Smoking
Drinking alcohol
Healthy eating
Exercise
What you can't change
Stopping stroke happening again
