I hope none of us smoke, but if you do this one's is for you. If there’s one lifestyle change that delivers immediate and lifelong protection against stroke, it’s stopping smoking. Smoking is one of the top 10 modifiable factors that explain over 90% of all strokes worldwide. Nicotine and tobacco smoke damage blood vessels, accelerate plaque build-up, thicken your blood, and increase your risk of clots — the perfect storm for a stroke. The Good News? The benefits start within minutes. 20 minutes: Blood pressure and heart rate begin to normalise 2–12 weeks: Circulation and lung function improve 1 year: Stroke risk drops by around 50% 5 years: Stroke risk approaches that of a lifelong non-smoker Why this matters for you Every cigarette increases stroke risk, but stopping shifts the trajectory rapidly. No other intervention reduces risk quite as quickly or as powerfully across the brain, heart, and vascular system. If you're trying to quit You don’t have to do it alone. Nicotine replacement, prescription supports, and structured coaching all significantly increase success rates — and the payoff is enormous. You can get this for free anywhere in the UK. Just Google stop smoking and your nearest town or city. Your brain deserves better. Your future self will be grateful you made this choice today.

Morning all I’m really struggling at the moment controlling my Hbac1. I’ve always found it a challenge but I’ve managed to keep it pretty low. Now it’s consistently high. Especially after lunch. Any tips?