A stroke risk assessment at Your Community Pharmacy takes about 10 minutes and costs nothing. The pharmacist measures your blood pressure, asks about the lifestyle factors that raise stroke risk and makes sure you know the F.A.S.T. warning signs. You come away knowing which of your own risks you can change and whether it is worth booking in with your GP. No appointment is needed, so you can ask for it while you are in for something else.
Stroke Definition
Blood contains oxygen and important nutrients for your brain cells, when brain cells do not get enough oxygen or nutrients, they cannot survive. A stroke can occur when blood stops moving through the artery because it is blocked by a blood clot or plaque (ischaemic stroke) or because the artery breaks or bursts (haemorrhagic stroke).
Stroke Signs
The F.A.S.T. test is recommended by the Stroke Foundation as an easy way to remember the most common signs of stroke:
- Face; Check their face. Has their mouth drooped?
- Arms; Can they lift both arms?
- Speech; Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you?
- Time; Time is critical. If you see any of these signs call 000 straight away.
Stroke Risk Factors
Most strokes are preventable because they are associated with lifestyle-related risk factors. There are some risk factors for stroke that you cannot do anything about, such as: family history, age, gender (sex) and ethnic background. However, if you have any of these risk factors, improving your lifestyle is even more important to reduce your risk of having a stroke.
Health Tips
- Increase physical activity and maintain a healthy weight
- Limit saturated fats, salt, and sugar intake
- Look at ways to reduce stress levels
- Quit smoking; smoking doubles your risk of stroke
What the stroke risk assessment covers
The check is a conversation as much as a measurement. In about 10 minutes the pharmacist will:
- take a blood pressure reading and explain it
- ask about smoking, alcohol, activity, diet and weight
- ask about conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol or an irregular pulse
- run through the warning signs so you would recognise a stroke in someone else
It is not a diagnosis. If anything stands out, the pharmacist will suggest taking the result to your GP.
Why stroke risk is worth checking
The Stroke Foundation says 80 per cent of strokes are preventable and that high blood pressure, responsible for 41 per cent of strokes, is the single biggest risk factor. Because raised blood pressure usually has no symptoms, the reading taken during a stroke risk assessment can be the first clue. You can also drop in any time for a free blood pressure check between assessments.
Risk factors you can and cannot change
The Stroke Foundation lists risk factors in two groups. Those you can work on include:
- high blood pressure
- type 2 diabetes
- high cholesterol
- atrial fibrillation or an irregular pulse
- smoking, alcohol, physical inactivity and a poor diet
Diabetes monitoring helps you keep an eye on one of them, and weight management support covers the diet and activity side.
Symptoms of a stroke: a checklist to remember
As well as the F.A.S.T. signs, the Stroke Foundation's signs of stroke guidance lists numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, dizziness or an unexplained fall, loss of vision, a sudden severe headache and difficulty swallowing. Call 000 even if the symptoms pass within minutes. That may be a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), and stroke risk is higher afterwards. Our guide to stroke symptoms covers the other warning signs and what to do while you wait for help.
After your stroke risk assessment
You may leave with one or two changes to work on, such as cutting back on salt or getting a raised reading rechecked by your GP. If your doctor later prescribes medicine for blood pressure, cholesterol or an irregular heartbeat, a Webster Pak can help you keep track of each dose. Scripts can come to you with free delivery (call to check your address), and if you have seen a medicine cheaper elsewhere, ask about our price match.
The stroke risk assessment is part of our preventive and monitoring services, where you can compare all five checks.
Common questions
How do I get a stroke risk check in Newport?
Walk in during opening hours and ask the pharmacist. There is no booking and no charge. To ask a question first, contact us or call (02) 9999 1186.
Should I come in if I think someone is having a stroke?
No. Call 000 immediately. A stroke is a medical emergency and every minute counts.
Can the pharmacist check my medicines too?
Yes. If you take medicines for blood pressure, cholesterol or a heart condition, a medication review can check for interactions and side effects.
Where can I see the other free checks?
All of them are listed on our health services page, and answers to common questions are on the FAQs page.