Simple life keeps strokes at bay

HEALTH

Up to 80 per cent of strokes could be prevented by making simple lifestyle changes a new study says. Cutting out cigarettes, losing weight and taking up exercise could have a great effect on lowering mortality from strokes, says a study from 11 general practices in Birmingham between 1988 and 1990.

Of the 125 patients who had suffered a stroke, most could have prevented them had they had taken on these simple measures. Cigarette smoking alone was estimated to have accounted for half of all strokes, while smoking and obesity combined accounted for three-quarters of cases.