We launch our campaign to STOP Stroke
During Salt Awareness Week in March, we officially launched our new campaign to STOP Stroke
This year we’re focussing our efforts on preventing stroke with our campaign, STOP Stroke. We’ll be working with employers around the UK to encourage staff to eat more healthily and be more active, and with other charities to improve awareness of how stroke can be prevented. The campaign will culminate in Know Your Numbers! Week in September, where we'll be providing free blood pressure checks nationwide.
Stroke is the fourth biggest killer in the UK and the leading cause of disability. Every year, more than 100,000 people have a stroke – that’s at least 274 people every day. These numbers are shocking, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Last year, new research found that nine out of 10 strokes are preventable, so we know we can bring these numbers down. Read about the background to the campaign.
We officially launched our campaign during Salt Awareness Week in March – the annual campaign that puts salt under the spotlight for its role in raising the nation’s blood pressure. Lowering your salt intake is one of the simplest ways to lower your blood pressure, so we attended the Salt Awareness Week reception at the House of Commons, measuring people’s blood pressure and highlighting the importance of blood pressure control in lower your risk of stroke.
Only 41% of people in the UK know that stroke can be prevented
We wanted a better insight into the nation's understanding of stroke and what causes it, so we asked 2000 UK adults what they know. Our results found that the majority don’t realise that we can all take steps to reduce our risk of stroke, or that high blood pressure is the single biggest cause.
How to lower your risk of stroke
Order our new booklet – it tells you everything you need to know to reduce your risk of stroke. Contact our Nutritionist, Shefalee Loth, to pre-order yours at shefalee.loth@bloodpressureuk.org or 020 7882 6255.
Compare food products with FoodSwitch – a free App that helps you make smarter food and drink choices by comparing similar products instantly - simply scan the barcode with your smartphone to find a healthier option. It’s just been updated with a SaltSwitch filter too.
Try this blood pressure-friendly lasagne recipe - This Mediterranean Vegetable Lasagna, kindly shared by the British Heart Foundation, is surprisingly low in salt and saturated fat and puts you well on the way to your five-a-day.
Find out how to eat less salt - CASH have a huge range of recipes and tips to help you lower you salt intake.
Get involved in the campaign
Contact us on 020 7882 6255 or email shefalee.loth@bloodpressureuk.org to get involved with any of the following:
Could you share your story?
Have you been told you’re at risk of stroke due to high blood pressure, or even experienced a stroke or TIA? Have you taken steps to lower your blood pressure? Are you willing to share your story to show others it’s possible to improve your health? We’d love to hear from you.
Help raise awareness
Are you a health professional, pharmacist or health information provider? Would you like to help raise awareness of high blood pressure and stroke? Contact us to register an interest in our posters, leaflets and recipe booklet to display in your practice or pharmacy.
Host a healthy cook-off
Motivate your colleagues to eat well by organising a blood pressure-friendly cook-off. Raise funds for our life-saving work in the process by asking for a small entry fee to take part and try each other's recipes. We will have a low salt recipe booklet available soon for some inspiration. Get in touch for ideas or to pre-order a recipe booklet.
Share your favourite healthy recipes
Do you have a go-to healthy recipe that you’re willing to share on our website? Send it to shefalee.loth@bloodpressureuk.org for others to use in their cook-off or simply eat more healthily.