30 January 2025
Stroke Prevention Day 2025
A worryingly large proportion of UK adults don’t know that high blood pressure is the most likely cause of stroke, according to new statistics from the Stroke Association. But with someone in the UK having a stroke every five minutes, and high blood pressure accounting for around half of those1, the Stroke Association is encouraging people to having their blood pressure regularly checked.
Findings2 from the Stroke Association’s latest research, show that 36% of people who have experience of, and therefore a connection, to stroke don’t know that high blood pressure is the biggest risk factor for the condition. Their connection to stroke – either through their own diagnosis or that of a loved one – is likely to increase their knowledge of stroke and its causes.
In addition, the Stroke Association found that awareness levels are even lower amongst people who don’t have such a connection to stroke, with 43% not knowing that high blood pressure is the leading risk factor.
To add, a surprisingly low number of people with a connection to stroke knew about the condition’s additional risk factors – 85% didn’t identify a poor diet as a major risk factor and 57% didn’t select smoking as a factor most likely to contribute to a stroke.
1.4 million people in the UK are survivors of stroke, with stroke survivors frequently left with physical and mental disabilities including paralysis, problems with vision, difficulties swallowing and a struggle to communicate.
As well as high blood pressure, risk factors of stroke also include poor diet, lack of exercise and smoking. Those with high blood pressure readings should consult their GP and consider cutting their stroke risk by reducing salt intake, regularly exercising, quit smoking and reviewing alcohol consumption.
Juliet Bouverie OBE, the CEO of Stroke Association, said:
“Around 100,000 people in the UK have a stroke every year. Worryingly, this has been increasing over the last 20 years, particularly amongst people of working age. The lives of the 90,000 people who survive stroke every year in the UK change in an instant as the condition impacts on their ability to live physically and mentally well.
It is vital that everyone knows what can cause a stroke, so they can proactively look after their health to reduce the risk. We’re encouraging adults of any age to get their blood pressure checked on a regular basis. This will equip them with knowledge on whether they are at risk of having a stroke so that they can take steps to reduce their chances, if required.”
Whilst people of any age can have a stroke, it is most likely to impact those over the age of 65. Free blood pressure checks are available from the GP, participating pharmacies, and are also part of NHS health checks for those over the age of 40 in England and Wales.
If you have high blood pressure, and want to support the Stroke Association, get involved with its fundraising initiative, Stride for Stroke. The charity is asking people to take one step for each of the 1.4 million stroke survivors currently living in the UK, which works out as 10,000 steps per day for 140 days. Visit Choose Your Challenge | Stroke Association.
1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18456100/
2. Survey of 1,409 people (403 stroke-connected and 1,004 not stroke connected) conducted in December by brand tracking agency Eden Stanley.