Millions 'unaware' high blood pressure causes stroke

A worryingly large proportion of people in the UK are unaware that high blood pressure is a major cause of stroke, a charity has warned.

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The Stroke Association is urging people to keep track of their blood pressure and take action to cut their risk of a stroke, which affects 100,000 people every year.

Arteries in the body naturally become narrower and harder as people age, but keeping blood pressure down, eating a healthy diet, taking exercise and keeping track of cholesterol can all cut the risk.

Around half of strokes are caused by high blood pressure, but a poll for the Stroke Association found about four in 10 people do not know high blood pressure is the leading risk factor for stroke.