People are more than twice as likely to have a stroke if they binge drink, according to new research...
People are more than twice as likely to have a stroke if they binge drink, according to new research from a leading charity.
The Stroke Association revealed that drinking six or more units in one sitting can raise blood pressure to dangerously high levels and could lead to an increased risk of having a stroke.
However, it is predicted that only 40% of people know binge drinking can cause this threat.
The Government estimates that 18% of men and 8% of women drink more than eight units and six units respectively on at least one day a week.
The association said these figures were particularly concerning as heavy intermittent drinking is a feature of many people's social lives in the UK and young people are inclined to consume more than twice the recommended sensible drinking limit.
Joe Korner, director of communications at the Stroke Association, said: "By binge drinking you are increasing your risk of stroke and leaving yourself vulnerable to serious consequences."
Stroke is the UK's third biggest killer and even if it is not fatal, can also leave suffers paralysed, unable to talk, walk and incontinent.
People who smoke are also increasing their chances of having a stroke. Smoking and high blood pressure both increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke where a blood vessel bursts inside the brain.
A study published in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association found that hemorrhagic strokes are particularly debilitating, with around half of those affected dying as a result.
The study, which involved over 560,000 people, found that people with both risk factors - smoking and high blood pressure - have an even greater risk of stroke, highlighting the importance of encouraging people with high blood pressure not to smoke.
Smoking also accounts for one in four cancer deaths and kills five times more people than road accidents, overdoses, murder, suicide and HIV combined.
