What is most likely to kill you? Stroke

What is most likely to kill you? Stroke, according to the World Health Organisation. Get out there and exercise*.

Latest figures from WHO show that in China in 2021 a total of 178 people per 100,000 died of stroke. Heart disease was the next most common killer.

The factors that indicate you are in danger of stroke, according to the Mayo Clinic, are:

• Physical inactivity
• Obesity or being overweight
• Heavy drinking
• Illegal drug use

The ways to prevent stroke (and heart disease) are given as:

• Exercising, which lowers blood pressure and improves heart and cardiovascular performance
• Eating plenty of fruit and vegetables and maintaining a healthy weight
• Lowering cholesterol and saturated fat in the diet
• Quitting smoking

The Mayo Clinic says you should do at least 30 minutes of light exercise — walking, swimming, bicycling — most days.

If you don’t look after yourself, you may suffer one of two types of stroke: ischemic stroke caused by a blocked artery in the brain, or hemorrhagic stroke caused by a leaking or bursting blood vessel in the brain.

*If you are old or weak, it is unwise to suddenly take up exercise without consulting a doctor.