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Cardiovascular disease prevention

How can strokes be prevented?

Up to 80% of strokes could be prevented. There are a number of risk factors associated with the condition including age, gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status, existing conditions such as high cholesterol, sickle cell disease, diabetes or Atrial Fibrillation (AF), previous Transient Ischaemic Attacks (TIAs) and other lifestyle factors including smoking, alcohol intake, weight and exercise levels. We want to reduce the number of people having a stroke in our region by helping clinicians to better manage their risks.

National guidance

The National Clinical Guideline for Stroke (2023) provides detailed recommendations for the clinical management of  stroke and TIA, as well as support for secondary prevention and longer-term management:

The NHS regularly publishes data on a national, regional and locality level using GP practice data via the CVDPrevent audit.

Support available

The Greater Manchester system is working to bring together CVD prevention with many useful resources hosted here.

Primary care staff can access our Greater Manchester stroke training package and find out more about how the network can help GP practices better recognise stroke and TIA and manage patients with these conditions here. Other tailored online Greater Manchester  stroke training is available for a range of health and social care professionals.

Home blood pressure monitoring has now been implemented by all our community stroke teams – further information can be found here.

We have a range of specifically resources aimed at the Muslim community that can be downloaded below.

We also have a programme of free, local training events that include topics on preventing stroke, with other online resources also signposted. We have a range of online webinars also available on our YouTube channel including two detailed sessions on blood pressure measurement and management.

The first few weeks following discharge from hospital after a stroke can be when patients are at highest risk. We have developed a checklist for primary care and community teams to ensure risks are appropriately managed to reduce the risk of another stroke.

Our Voluntary Services Directory includes a range of local services aimed at improving lifestyle including more neurologically specialist services.

Useful resources

British Heart Foundation – Atrial Fibrillation – information for patients

Greater Manchester hypertension management pathway – information for clinicians

British Heart Foundation – High blood pressure and Understanding blood pressure leaflet – information for patients

Blood Pressure UK – information/resources for patients and professionals including in different languages

Greater Manchester lipid management pathway for secondary prevention of CVD – information for clinicians

British Heart Foundation – Understanding high cholesterol leaflet – information for patients

Greater Manchester MyWay Diabetes – website supporting residents with diabetes

NHS England – All Our Health – eLearning for professionals in alcohol, CVD prevention, obesity, healthy eating, activity and smoking

NHS England – Better Health – website supporting patients/public in adopting healthier lifestyles including obesity, smoking, activity and alcohol

GM Moving – website supporting residents to be more active including training and resources for professionals and activities available by borough

Personalised Care Institute – Physical activity and health – eLearning for professionals

Drinkaware – website supporting patients/public with alcohol reduction

British Heart Foundation Booklets & Guides – information for patients including: AF, BP, cholesterol, diabetes, healthy eating, physical activity and smoking