Millions of Britons could have a stroke ticking timebomb, as risk factors now revealed

Millions of Britons could have a secret stroke “ticking timebomb” – unaware high blood pressure is the deadly condition’s biggest cause, a charity has warned. 

The Stroke Association is urging people to keep track of their blood pressure and take action to cut their risk of a stroke, which affects 100,000 people every year. 

Arteries in the body naturally become narrower and harder as people age, but keeping blood pressure down, eating a healthy diet, taking exercise and keeping track of cholesterol can all cut the risk.

Around half of strokes are caused by high blood pressure, but a poll for the Stroke Association found 43 per cent of Britons do not know high blood pressure is the leading risk factor. 

The poll also found 85 per cent of people with experience of stroke – such as with a relative – are unaware poor diet is a major risk factor, while 57 per cent do not know smoking pushes up the risk.

There are an estimated 1.3 million UK stroke survivors and someone in Britain suffers one every five minutes, with high blood pressure accounting for around half of those. 

So to mark 31st January’s Stroke Prevention Day, the charity’s urging people to have their blood pressure checked and if high, consult with a GP and try to reduce other risk factors like lack of exercise, high salt and alcohol intake. 

Juliet Bouverie OBE, CEO of the 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.”

Stroke survivors are frequently left with physical and mental disabilities including paralysis, problems with vision, difficulties swallowing and a struggle to communicate.

Free blood pressure checks are available from GPs, many pharmacies, and are also part of NHS health checks for those over the age of 40 in England and Wales. 

Stroke survivor Ian Burdin, 47, from Waltham Forest in London, said his undiagnosed high blood pressure was a “ticking timebomb” sparking his stroke last summer which left him unable to walk. 

Ian spent over a month in hospital recovering, including gradually reducing the use of a wheelchair or walking stick, which is still an ongoing challenge today. 

Ian said: “I couldn’t believe what was happening to me. In an instant, my life turned upside down, and I felt like everything had to go on hold.

“The stroke has robbed a lot from me, but one thing it won’t take is my determination.

“I’ve had to rebuild my life since the stroke and adapt to a new way of living. Mentally, I’m prepared for the challenge and I’m doing whatever I can to enjoy life again. 

“I’m slowly phasing back to work, I’ve started going to the gym again, and I recently got a mobility scooter to help me get around. 

“It’s sad to think that I was living with high blood pressure without realising it. If only I had known, then maybe I wouldn’t be in this situation. 

“Doctors described my high blood pressure as a ‘ticking time bomb’. That’s why I really want more people to get their blood pressure checked out regularly – it could save your life.”

The charity is also lobbying the Government to prioritise stroke prevention as part of the 10 Year Health Plan for England.

Prompt treatment, such as thrombectomy or thrombolysis, as well as effective recovery can help stroke survivors to live physically and mentally well.

A year ago the Daily Express launched our ‘Let Stroke Patients Thrive’ campaign, for better aftercare and access to miracle procedure thrombectomy to speedily remove clots so patients can return home that same day.

Hailed as a “miracle” medical procedure when first discovered two decades ago, a thrombectomy sees a stent passed up an artery or vein to drag out the blood clot causing the stroke. 

It is thought up to 10 per cent of UK stroke patients may be eligible for thrombectomy every year, more than 9,000 people – but sporadic availability means only 3.9 per cent accessed one last year.

We are calling for a full, 24/7 thrombectomy access in the UK – after experts branded it currently “a postcode lottery”.

David Hargroves, national clinical director for stroke medicine at NHS England, said: “High blood pressure rarely has noticeable symptoms but, if untreated, it significantly increases your risk of stroke.

“More than four million people are estimated to be living with undetected or untreated hypertension in England, and the only way to find out if your blood pressure is high is to have your blood pressure tested.” 

* Anyone affected by stroke can visit stroke.org.uk or call their dedicated Stroke Support Helpline on 0303 3033 100.