Stroke Facts

• Every five minutes someone in the UK has a stroke. This means that about 30 people in Orkney have a stroke each year.

• Stroke is the third biggest killer and the leading cause of severe disability in the UK.

• Almost one in four men and one in five women aged 45 can expect to have a stroke if they live to 85.

• More than three times as many women die from stroke than breast cancer in the UK.

• Eating healthily, taking more exercise, not smoking and ensuring blood pressure is normal, can all help to prevent stroke.

• Every year, around 10 000 people under the age of 55 have a stroke and, of these, 1000 are under the age of 30.

• Anyone can have a stroke, including babies and children.