High blood pressure 'is biggest stroke risk factor'

High blood pressure is the single biggest risk factor for strokes, an expert has said.

Andrea Lane, a spokesperson for The Stroke Association, stated that the monitoring of blood pressure is vital.

She pointed out that people can get their blood pressure tested at a variety of locations, including some pharmacists and supermarkets, gyms, doctors surgeries and by practice nurses.

Recommending the actions to take in order to minimise the risk of stroke, Ms Lane said: "On a day-to-day basis, it's things like eating a healthy diet, taking exercise, drinking alcohol in moderation, not smoking, that help us control our blood pressure."

She added that if an individual does have high blood pressure, they can talk to their general practitioner and, if required, obtain medicine to bring it under control.

According to The Stroke Association, an estimated 150,000 people in the UK have a stroke every year.

Most people affected are aged over 65, but anyone can have a stroke, including children and even babies.

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