A stroke survivor is urging people to get their blood pressure checked to reduce their risk of suffering a similar experience.
Joan Neilson, 74, lives in Stirling with her husband Gordon.
She was enjoying retirement when she had a stroke aged 66, caused by a combination of high blood pressure and stress from a family bereavement.
One morning in April 2016, she was in the shower and knew she was having a stroke when her arm went numb as she had attended a Stroke Association talk at the local rotary club.
She called to her husband who phoned 999 and the ambulance took her to Forth Valley Royal Hospital quickly.
Doctors found she had had a haemmorhagic stroke – a bleed on the brain – and later discussions established it was down to a combination of stress and high blood pressure.
Joan struggled with the impact, as she lost the use of the left side of her body – both her arm and her leg – and her vision was impaired. She felt the loss of independence acutely and had to rely on others to help with dressing, cooking and transport to her favourite haunts.
As the months wore on, she visited a physiotherapist and participated in the Stroke Association’s ‘Moving Forward After Stroke’ programme where she joined other stroke survivors trying to improve their mobility. She says the exercises gave her confidence to try things she wouldn’t normally and fueled her determination to get back to a life like she had before her stroke.
She continues to exercise three times a week.
In 2025, Joan no longer relies on a buggy to walk and enjoys long strolls with support from her husband. Joan’s determination and sunny disposition are obvious, and she wants everyone to know about the link between high blood pressure and stroke.
She said: “My stroke was life changing and I’d encourage every adult to get their blood pressure checked regularly. It could mean reducing the risk of a stroke.”
The Scottish Stroke Statistics published were a sobering reminder that Scotland’s record for stroke is deteriorating, the Stroke Association warns.
In 2023/24, there were 9,792 strokes in Scotland compared to 9,851 in 2022/23.
However, a higher proportion are in younger age groups.
The proportion of people having a stroke aged under 65 has risen by 19.7 per cent in the last 10 years, while the equivalent figure for the under 45s is a rise of 8.9 per cent in the last 10 years.
The number of people dying from a stroke in Scotland is also rising. The stroke mortality rate has increased by 6.3 per cent since 2022/23, which is the highest rise since 2016.
Nine in ten strokes are preventable, with lifestyle factors such as diet, fitness, alcohol and smoking playing a big part. Certain health conditions such as diabetes, atrial fibrillation, high cholesterol and high blood pressure can also contribute.
To mark Stroke Prevention Day (Thursday January 30) the Stroke Association has been focusing on the link between high blood pressure and stroke, as there is low awareness of the link and tackling high blood pressure can reduce the risk of a stroke.
John Watson, Associate Director for the Stroke Association in Scotland, said: “People in Scotland are significantly more likely to have a stroke than elsewhere in the UK, and more likely to die from it.
“It’s a complex picture, but for Stroke Prevention Day the Stroke Association is simply asking people to check their blood pressure regularly. High blood pressure is the cause of around half of all strokes and checking for it could prevent life-changing disability and death.
“High blood pressure can be treated with medication while exercising, lowering salt intake, reducing alcohol consumption and quitting smoking can all pay dividends.”
High blood pressure often has no symptoms. All adults should have their blood pressure checked at least every five years. Anyone suspecting they have high blood pressure should check it regularly. Some GP practices will provide a blood pressure monitor to take home or they can be bought from pharmacies and other retail outlets.
The Stroke Association is part of the ‘Our Future Health’ partnership, which is a collaboration between the public, charity and private sectors to help everyone lead longer and healthier lives. It has already set up more than 100 UK clinics where people can get basic health checks, including nine in central Scotland.
In rare cases, high blood pressure may cause symptoms. Speak to your GP if you have symptoms of very high blood pressure including: headaches; blurred or double vision; regular nosebleeds; shortness of breath.
The Stroke Association supports stroke survivors and their families by phone, at home, and in the community. Find out more at www.stroke.org.uk.