Andy Love MP is urging his constituents to be vigil and know their blood pressure and risk of having a stroke after it was revealed that around 1,800 people in Edmonton are living with the after effects of strokes.

Joining the Stroke Association’s campaign launch in Parliament this week, Andy learnt that a huge proportion of strokes can be avoided if more people took action – including eating balanced diets, drinking alcohol in moderation and taking regular exercise – and controlled some of the major risk factors.

 High blood pressure is the single biggest risk factor and 40 percent of strokes could be cut if more people had their blood pressure checked regularly.  Strokes are the third biggest killer and the leading cause of severe disability in the UK, as reflected by the Edmonton statistics.

 A stroke is a brain attack which happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, caused by a clot or bleeding in the brain.  A stroke can be diagnosed by using FAST – Facial weakness, Arm weakness, Speech problems, Time to call 999 if any symptoms are present.

 Supporting the Stroke Association’s campaign, Andy said…

 “Getting your blood pressure checked is quick, simple and painless, but it’s an easy way of assessing your stroke risk and therefore potentially preventing a stroke in the future.

 “Many of us know that there is more we can be doing to obtain a healthy lifestyle but we don’t always follow it through.  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 a stroke.”