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Smoking and Stroke
Stroke is a major cause of disability and death in Wales and the UK, with smoking being a significant risk factor. Quitting smoking is one of the most effective ways to lower your risk of stroke and protect your long-term health.
What is a Stroke?
A stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. There are two main types:
Ischaemic Stroke: Occurs when a blood clot blocks a vessel supplying blood to the brain. This is the most common type, accounting for about 85% of all strokes.
Haemorrhagic Stroke: Happens when a weakened blood vessel ruptures, causing bleeding in or around the brain.
Recognizing the signs of a stroke and acting quickly can significantly improve outcomes.
What are the Symptoms of a Stroke?
The FAST test can help you recognize the most common symptoms of a stroke:
Face: Has one side of the face drooped?
Arms: Can the person raise both arms and keep them there?
Speech: Is speech slurred or garbled?
Time: If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to call emergency services immediately.
Other symptoms may include sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, sudden confusion, loss of vision in one or both eyes, dizziness, loss of balance, or a sudden severe headache with no known cause.
How Smoking Causes a Stroke?
Smoking is a significant risk factor for stroke. Here’s how it affects your body:
Increased Blood Clotting: Chemicals in tobacco smoke make your blood thicker and more likely to clot, which can block blood flow to the brain.
Raised Blood Pressure: Nicotine raises blood pressure, a major risk factor for stroke.
Damaged Blood Vessels: Smoking damages the lining of your arteries, leading to a build-up of fatty material (atherosclerosis) which narrows the arteries and can cause a stroke.
Reduced Oxygen in Blood: Carbon monoxide from cigarette smoke reduces the amount of oxygen your blood can carry, forcing your heart to work harder and increasing the risk of stroke.
How to Reduce a Stroke?
The best way to lower your risk of stroke is to quit smoking. Positive effects start immediately when you stop, and the risk continues to decrease over time.
Here’s how you can take the first step:
- Call: Freephone 0800 085 2219 for quit support.
- Text: HMQ to 80818 for free advice.
- Visit: helpmequit.wales for tools, local services, and expert guidance.
Key Stats
- Smokers are twice as likely to die from stroke compared to non-smokers.
- The number of people admitted to hospital following a stroke has risen by 28% in the last 20 years, with lifestyle factors like smoking contributing to this increase.
- Approximately 100,000 people have strokes each year in the UK.
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Support for quitting smoking, including free services and expert advice.
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Your support helps us create impactful campaigns and provide free resources to schools and communities across Wales. Every donation brings us closer to a smoke-free generation.
