February newsletter 2025
Here's how you can reduce your risk of stroke this year.
In this issue...
Welcome to your first newsletter of 2025! We hope you had a restful holiday season and that you've been able to enjoy the sunshine with your friends and whānau.
In this issue, we're going back to basics and explaining what is a stroke and how you can reduce your stroke risk.
What is a stroke?
A stroke is sudden loss of brain function due to interruption of blood flow or when a blood vessel bursts and damages brain cells. Normal blood flow is essential to bring oxygen to brain cells so they can work properly.
In both situations, without normal oxygen flow to the brain cells, the affected part of the brain is damaged. If blood flow is not restored quickly, this damage cannot be repaired.
How can I reduce my risk of stroke?
Every year, it’s estimated that over 9,000 strokes and an unknown number of transient ischaemic attacks happen in New Zealand - but the good news is that up to 90% of strokes can be prevented.
Blood pressure management is one of the most important ways to reduce your stroke risk. We recommend having your blood pressure checked at least once a year, and more frequently if it is outside normal range. Atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat) is also a risk factor for stroke, as well as managing cholesterol levels, so having these regularly checked is also important. If diagnosed, then taking medication as prescribed is really important to reduce your risk of stroke or secondary stroke. Also, healthy lifestyle choices - like quitting smoking, reducing your salt intake, and getting enough exercise - can greatly reduce your risk of stroke.
Stroke Champion 💪 Patrick's story
This Sunday, Patrick Takurua will be running in the Wellington Round the Bays half-marathon event.
But he's not running this race just for his own fitness goals. After his gran survived a stroke 10 years ago, he knows exactly how stroke can affect families, so he's also fundraising for the Stroke Foundation.
Your challenge: Get your blood pressure checked
A healthy blood pressure is one of your best defences against stroke. 1 in 5 New Zealanders experience high blood pressure – a leading risk factor for stroke – and it’s estimated that one third of this group don’t even know they have high blood pressure. Many New Zealanders don’t regularly check their blood pressure, often due to time and cost barriers and because they don’t recognise the importance of doing so.
The Stroke Foundation offers free blood pressure and pulse checks in communities throughout Aotearoa, helping thousands of people every year to better understand their risk of stroke.
Ngā mihi nui,
Jo Lambert
Chief Executive Officer | The Stroke Foundation of New Zealand