There are several different causes of stroke, and sometimes lifestyle factors such as smoking, obesity and reduced exercise can contribute. Changes in diet and aspects of lifestyle can lower the occurrence of a stroke however some people may be more at risk of stroke than others depending on their risk factors. 

Where can I find more information?

There are many resources available that can support with changing your lifestyle to reduce the risk of further stroke.

The Stroke Association provide a leaflet full of hints and tips on many aspects of lifestyle that can affect how you can make changes to reduce your risk of further stroke. The British Heart Foundation guidance explains clearly what happens in your body when you have a stroke  - Stroke - Your Quick Guide  BHF

Making changes to your lifestyle and more importantly maintaining changes is not always easy. Setting realistic goals and tracking your progress can be helpful. The NHS Better Health website provides a range of tools and apps that can help you do this.

Being overweight, having diabetes or pre-diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and atrial fibrillation can increase your risk of further stroke. To help you manage this risk factors we have shared some helpful resources that may help.

Being overweight increases your risk of having a stroke as it can increase your blood pressure and increase your risk of developing diabetes. The NHS Website has support on managing your weight which includes how to manage your weight if you are in a wheelchair. 

The Stroke Association provides videos to support you to be more active (Stroke-Specific Exercise Video Programme | My Stroke Guide).  The British Dietetic Association also provide advice on setting realistic goals and keeping on track with weight loss: Weight Loss. The British Heart Foundation has also developed a guide that can help with portion control of meals and making sense of reading labels. This might help with managing your weight Portion sizes and food labels - BHF.

Having diabetes nearly doubles your risk of a stroke. Diabetes can also increase your risk of developing other diseases e.g. heart disease, kidney disease. Having too much sugar in your blood can lead to damage of the blood vessels and increase the risk of the vessels becoming blocked. Managing your diabetes is a key factor in reducing your risk of cardiovascular diseases such as stroke. The Stroke Association have information  on the link between diabetes and stroke. For more detailed information on living with diabetes and recipes, Diabetes UK offer further information Eating with diabetes | Guide to diabetes | Diabetes UK.  If you need advice about how to manage your diabetes you can ask a nurse or dietitian-there may be one within the stroke team or at your GP practice.

Over time high blood pressure can lead to cardiovascular disease including strokes and heart disease and other conditions such as kidney disease and vascular dementia. High blood pressure can cause you to feel dizzy, have palpitations or headaches but does not always have symptoms, so the first sign might be a heart attack or stroke. It is important to check your blood pressure regularly to ensure your levels stay within the healthy range. You can get this done by a member of your stroke team, at your GP surgery and in some pharmacies. Find a pharmacy that offers free blood pressure checks. If you have a BP monitor at home, the NHS blood pressure checker website provides advice on making sense of your readings.

If your blood pressure is high, you might be prescribed medication (anti-hypertensives) to control your levels. However, you should also make any other positive changes to your diet to reduce your blood pressure. The British Dietetic Association provides evidence based information on how simple changes to your diet could reduce your blood pressure - High blood pressure and diet. 

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a heart condition that causes an irregular heartbeat and raises your risk of a stroke. AF can happen to anyone, including people who are otherwise fit and well. It usually affects adults, and your risk goes up with age. It’s more common in men, and people with conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, overactive thyroid, and high blood pressure. It’s also more common in smokers. If you have AF you will probably be prescribed medicines called anticoagulants to reduce your risk of stroke. The Stroke Association offer further information on AF and how to manage your risk of stroke with  AF.

We all need cholesterol in our body but high levels of certain types of ‘bad’ cholesterol (LDL/low density lipoprotein or non-HDL/non-High Density Lipoprotein) in your blood is a risk factor for stroke and other cardiovascular events. Too much LDL cholesterol can lead to a build-up of fatty deposits in your blood vessels increasing your risk of a clot forming and therefore further stroke or heart disease.   It is important to have your cholesterol levels checked after a stroke; this will usually be done in hospital and your GP practice should review this once you are home. The Stroke Association provide information on understanding cholesterol levels. 

Making changes to your diet can reduce your LDL cholesterol levels and the British Dietetic Association provide some useful information on what changes will make a difference, food fact sheet - BDA.  You may also be provided with medication such as a statin to reduce your LDL cholesterol. For information about medication, diet and understanding your cholesterol levels the British Heart Foundation and Heart UK have further resources: 

Although stress does not cause a stroke it may affect blood pressure which can lead to a stroke. Anxiety and depression may affect your ability to look after your general health which may increase your risk factors for stroke.  Seeking support for emotional problems can help you to relax and manage emotions. The following resources can help and there is more information on our emotions and mental health page.

If you are already under the care of your local community stroke team, you can ask them more about this topic at your next visit.

Support in Your Area

For support in your area that can help you improve lifestyle factors you can find information, resources activity groups here: 

Live Well Bradford
Home - Living Well
Telephone 01274 438884    Email hello@mylivingwell.co.uk
Provides information, tools and information on activity groups in Bradford and District.

Cook Well for Less 
Cook Well For Less | Keighley Healthy Living | West Yorkshire
Telephone 01535 677177 Email: admin@khl.or.uk
A four week cooking course, starting from the fundamentals. Fun and  friendly sessions design recipes.

The Cooking Hub 
Cooking Hub – Inn Churches
Telephone 01274 955010              Email: hello@innchurches.co.uk

A cooking course provider in Bradford, offering fund cooking classes suitable for people of all abilities. 

There are a number of services across the area that provide practical, online and in person advice and support to help you to quit smoking 

Yorkshire Smoke free Service 
Telephone 0800 612011 (free from landlines) 0330 6601166 (free from most mobiles)

Leeds Stop Smoking Services
Leeds Stop Smoking Services
Telephone 0800 1694219

Calderdale and Huddersfield Smoking Cessation Service 
Smoking cessation - CHFT 
Telephone : 0800 6120011
Smoke free advisors offer telephone support for people living in  Calderdale, Wakefield, Sheffield, Barnsley or Doncaster.

Living Well – Smoke free 
Stopping smoking | North Yorkshire Council
Telephone:  0300 1312131  ( North Yorkshire )  01274 437700 ( Bradford) 
Email hello@mylivingwell.co.uk.
Provide information for stopping smoking, stop smoking clinics across North Yorkshire and access to a local stop smoking advisor, nicotine replacement therapy.

Misuse of illegal drugs can increase the risk of a stroke by causing damage to the blood vessels and raising the blood pressure abruptly. You can find help in your area to support you with reducing use of alcohol and drugs: 

Connecting with your local community and engaging in hobbies and interests can provide significant health benefits and support improve mood. For further information please see hobbies and interest section.

Advice for Health Care Professionals 

This will be a link to HCP section (coming soon), which will include: 

Audio Visual Resources

Dietician 2.png