Justin Tomlinson MP gets his blood pressure checked
Justin Tomlinson MP for North Swindon is supporting The Stroke Association’s campaign to encourage the nation to know more about their stroke risks.
It is estimated that around 1800 people in North Swindon are living with the after effects of stroke, and although not all strokes can be prevented a lot can be done to minimise your risk.
Justin Tomlinson MP attended a Stroke Prevention Reception hosted by The Stroke Association in the House of Commons on 13 December 2011. He commented:
“I’m delighted to support The Stroke Association and I’m encouraging everyone to know more about their stroke risks. A lot can be done to minimise your risk of a stroke. For example making a few healthy lifestyle choices such as eating a balanced diet, drinking alcohol in moderation, and taking regular exercise can all help to prevent a stroke.
“I’d like to urge everyone to make a New Year’s resolution to find out what you can do to lower your risk of stroke. Visit The Stroke Association’s website at www.stroke.org.uk or make an appointment to see your GP to assess your risk.”
Justin Tomlinson MP also had his pulse and blood pressure checked by paramedics at the event in order to assess his own stroke risk.
Patrick Olszowski, External Affairs Manager for The Stroke Association says; “Every five minutes someone in the UK has a stroke. However a huge proportion of these strokes could be avoided if more people took action and controlled some of the major risk factors.
“High blood pressure is the single biggest risk factor, and 40% of strokes could be cut if more people had their blood pressure checked regularly. Many people suffer from an irregular heartbeat which can increase your risk by up to five times. Importantly, this can also be treated and your risk of stroke can be minimised.”
A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is disrupted. Stroke is the third biggest killer and the leading cause of severe disability in the UK with an estimated 150,000 people having a stroke each year. But the chances of many people having a stroke can be reduced by understanding stroke risk factors and taking action to prevent a stroke happening.
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