A resident BBC doctor has warned that everyday habits could be putting many of us at risk of a stroke – including the consumption of a popular beverage.
Speaking on BBC Morning Live on Tuesday (October 1), Dr Xand van Tulleken revealed that the number of people suffering from strokes is increasing, with age being a significant factor. However, it’s not just age that increases the risk, as many lifestyle factors are also to blame.
He summarised these risk factors by saying: “All of those things are associated with life in the modern UK and as those things go up, so does our risk of a stroke”, adding that “particularly fizzy drinks are associated with a high risk”.
The NHS describes a stroke as a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to a part of your brain is cut off. This can affect functions such as speech and movement and recovery can take a long time, Surrey Live reports.
Dr Xand explained that the fragility and irritability of your arteries can influence the likelihood of clot formation, and various risk factors can damage your arteries.
The risk factors include:
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Blood Pressure
- Diabetes
- High Cholesterol
- Increased intake of ultra-processed food
- Fizzy drinks
- Lack of exercise
One viewer shared her husband’s experience of having a stroke without displaying the typical symptoms. Dr Xand highlighted this as an “important point”, urging people to remember the acronym FACE, which stands for Face, Arms, Speech, Time.
However, he cautioned that these signs only account for 85 per cent of strokes, as they can affect any part of the brain. He further clarified, “all strokes are different”.
The reason is that a stroke can impact any area of your body, with symptoms entirely dependent on which blood vessels in your brain are obstructed. Emphasising the primary takeaway, he alerts the public: “The key point is if you think there is something wrong with your brain, talk to your doctor. It is a medical emergency.”
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