Brits most reluctant to change their lifestyle in comparison to rest of Europe

A new survey reveals today, May 10 - European Stroke Prevention Day - that British people are reluctant to reduce their risk of stroke by changing their lifestyles compared with some European countries. In addition, in comparison to respondents from other European countries, more British respondents could not describe a stroke.

The Stroke Association is a member of the Stroke Alliance For Europe (SAFE) who conducted the survey which questioned 3,155 people in the UK, Germany, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands and was sponsored by an educational grant from Merck & Co., Inc.

The survey found that British respondents lagged behind the other European countries surveyed with just 64% able to identify that a stroke is a brain attack caused by a clot or bleed in the brain. 83% of Spanish respondents and 77% of Germans were able to do so. More than 1 in 10 British people still think that a stroke is linked to the heart.

Joe Korner, Director of Communications at The Stroke Association commented: "This survey highlights a worrying lack of understanding about how serious a stroke is amongst the British public and the risks that people are prepared to take with their health.

"Of even greater concern, one in four of the British respondents said they would not take regular prescription medicine even if they knew it would reduce their risk of stroke.

"Someone has a stroke every five minutes and of these a third are likely to die, a third will become permanently disabled and a third will recover. This survey highlights how important it is for people to realise their risk and take action before it is too late."

Risk factors for stroke include smoking, excessive alcohol intake and diet, however high blood pressure is the single biggest risk factor for stroke. More British respondents were aware of this than any other European country. They were also more likely to have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, and whilst 83% say they would have their blood pressure checked regularly if they knew it would reduce their risk of stroke, many seemed reluctant to change other aspects of their lifestyle which contribute to high blood pressure and the associated risk of stroke.

Just over a third of British respondents claimed to exercise three or more times a week and a further 43% said they would undertake exercise if they knew that doing so would reduce their risk of stroke. However the Italian (54%) and Spanish (56%) respondents were more likely to act on this information. More worryingly, almost one fifth of British people said that despite knowing that undertaking exercise would reduce their risk of stroke, it would still not be motivation enough for them to do it.

The British respondents were identified as being the worst binge drinkers (with 43% admitting to have done so at some point), yet only a quarter of all people surveyed said they would reduce their alcohol intake if they knew that it would cut their risk of a stroke. British respondents were amongst the least likely to say that they would reduce their alcohol intake if they thought it would reduce their risk of stroke, 19% said they wouldn't. 36% of Spanish and 33% of Germans who were asked said they would in comparison to 25% of British respondents.

One area where the British excelled against their European counterparts is with smoking. More British respondents (60%) said they did not smoke, which was the highest compared to all of the other countries (39% of Germans and 44% of Spanish respondents said that they did not smoke). Just 11% of British respondents said they would not give up smoking if they knew it would reduce their risk of stroke in comparison to 22% of Germans.

Just over half of British respondents said that they have reduced the salt and fat content in their diet. Only the Netherlands had a better result with 63% saying they had done so. An additional 32% of British people said they would reduce their fat and salt content if they knew it would reduce their risk of stroke; however 50% of Spanish people said they would do the same. Disappointingly 12% of Britons said they would carry on the same regardless of whether this increased their risk of having a stroke.

ENDS

1. SAFE. Gambling with Stroke Survey, TNS Market Research 2007

2. SAFE Website, last accessed April 2007: http://www.safestroke.org/Content/Facts-and-Figures.aspx?mid=45

For further information please contact the Media Team at The Stroke Association on 020 7566 1500 or e-mail the Press Office

Notes to editor

1. The Stroke Association is the only national charity solely concerned with combating stroke in people of all ages. The charity funds research into prevention, treatment, better methods of rehabilitation and helps stroke patients and their families directly through its community services which include a communication support service, family and carer support service, information services, welfare grants, publications and leaflets. The Stroke Association also campaigns, educates and informs to increase knowledge of stroke at all levels of society acting as a voice for everyone affected by stroke.

2. A stroke is a brain equivalent of a heart attack. A stroke can be diagnosed by using FAST - Facial weakness, Arm weakness, Speech Problems, Test all three. If these symptoms are present call an ambulance straight away.

3. The Stroke Helpline provides information on stroke to the general public and is open between 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday on 0845 3033 100.

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