3 Ways to Save your Life

Hello

The INTERSTROKE study identified ten modifiable factors risk that accountfor around 90% risk of stroke.

When I had my stroke 40 years ago at the age of 20 I was the only youngperson I knew who had a stroke. As a trustee for the national charityDifferent Strokes I engage with working age adults affected by Stroke. I alsosit on a committee which dedicates funding towards extendedPhysiotherapy for younger and working age Stroke survivors.

What surprises and saddens me is just how many adults, young middleaged, even teenagers and children, now live with Stroke. This hassignificantly increased since my own experience all those decades ago.



Of the modifiable risks, blood pressure is a great place to start, along withhaving your pulse checked and your lipid profile measured.

Why this Matters

Stroke risk rises above around 115 mmHg systolic. The recommendedsystolic (upper) level is 140, in adults with no pre existing cardiovascularconditions. Well controlled blood pressure is also associated with reducedrisk of cognitive decline and dementia.

Make it Easy

• You can pop into your local chemist and request a free blood pressurecheck
• Many GP surgeries have dedicated rooms where you can check yourown blood pressure
• You can purchase an Omron blood pressure machine from Amazon,which is low cost and allows you to continue to check your bloodpressure and that of your loved ones ad infinitum.

Why this Matters

Abnormal lipids, hypertension, smoking, inactivity, diabetes, obesity, alcoholexcess, psychosocial factors, poor diet and air pollution are all risk factors.Managing these, significantly reduces your risk of developing these threemajor causes of death and disability.

Make it Easy

• If you were to focus on one of these and one alone then considergetting out of your chair more often in the day.
• Being sedentary is a significant risk factor for all common causes ofdeath and disability.
• Going from sitting to just moving that little bit more, can have thegreatest impact on reducing your overall risk of mortality

Why this Matters

• As mentioned above having a high LDL level increases your risk ofstroke alongside heart disease and dementia.
• An even greater predictor of cardiovascular disease risk ismeasurement of apolipoprotein B levels. Whilst you cannot requestthese from your GP surgery, it is one of the blood tests I offer throughmy longevity programmes.
• It's a relatively small inconvenience to make an appointment to get ablood test, yet this could significantly alter the course of your life forthe better.

Make it Easy

• Don't wait, book the appointment with your GP today.
• Alternatively, if you have concerns about your health and well-being, Ioffer complementary health and energy well-being calls. These lastbetween 30 to 45 minutes and you are guaranteed to leave with atleast one helpful suggestion even if one of my programme I will sayWright sent an images is not for you.

Satinder Sanghera is an NHS & Private GP, UKIHCA registered HealthCoach, Lifestyle Medicine doctor, Lifestyle Menopause & NLP Practitionerwith a background in leadership. She helps high performing professionals who feel exhausted, overwhelmed or stuck due to life or health challenges.

Satinder knows how hard it can be to walk through change, having navigated personal traumas, disability, life-threatening and serious health conditions over 40 years.

Satinder teaches sustainable, simple strategies that help her clients reclaim their energy and feel like themselves again.