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 19 July 2008 08:11 BST

Binge drinkers 'twice as likely to have a stroke'

Monday, 10 Mar 2008 12:36
People who binge drink are more likely to have a stroke, charity warns

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People who binge drink are twice as likely to have a stroke than non-drinkers, a charity has warned today.

The Stroke Association says binge drinking - six or more units in one sitting - can raise blood pressure to dangerously high levels and is a major risk factor for stroke.

But the charity says just 40 per cent of people are aware that stroke can be a consequence of binge drinking.

Its warning comes at the start of Brain Awareness Week.

A poll carried out for the Stroke Association found that only a quarter of people would reduce their alcohol intake to help reduce their risk of stroke.

This result has been described as worrying by the charity in light of the high levels of alcohol consumption in the UK.

Last year a report from researchers at Liverpool John Moores University revealed that while more deprived areas of the country have problems with harmful levels of alcohol consumption, more affluent areas have a worrying proportion of people regularly drinking at hazardous levels.

The government estimates that 18 per cent of men and eight per cent of women drink more than eight units and six units respectively on a least one day a week.

"Stroke can be a devastating condition and can affect anyone, of any age, at any time," said Joe Korner, director of communications at the Stroke Association.

"By binge drinking you are increasing your risk of stroke and leaving yourself vulnerable to serious consequences such as long-term disability or even death.

"Therefore the Stroke Association is urging the public, not just for Brain Awareness Week but for the whole year round, to exercise control over the amount of alcohol they are consuming."
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