Celebrity doctor highlights common drink linked to increased stroke risk on BBC

One everyday habit can put you at a greater risk

A resident doctor from the BBC has revealed that everyday habits, including a common beverage many of us consume daily, could increase our risk of suffering a stroke. Speaking on BBC Morning Live on Tuesday (October 1), Alexander 'Dr Xand' van Tulleken highlighted that the likelihood of experiencing a stroke is increasing with age being a significant factor. However, it's not just age that puts individuals at risk.

The NHS defines a stroke as a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to a part of your brain is cut off, potentially affecting speech and movement and requiring a lengthy recovery period. Dr Xand emphasised that "how fragile your arteries are, how irritable they are affects the chances of clots forming" and that various risk factors can damage your arteries.

He summarised these risk factors by stating that "all of those things are associated with life in the modern UK and as those things go up, so does our risk of a stroke", adding that "particularly fizzy drinks are associated with a high risk", reports Lancs Live. One viewer shared her husband's experience of suffering a stroke without displaying the typical symptoms. Dr Xand responded by stressing the importance of remembering the acronym FACE, which stands for Face, Arms, Speech, Time.

He warned that while these signs and symptoms cover around 85 percent of strokes, any part of the brain can be affected, hence "all strokes are different". This is due to the fact that a stroke can impact any area of your body, and the symptoms you experience depend entirely on which blood vessels in your brain are blocked. He emphasised a crucial piece of advice for the public, saying: "The key point is if you think there is something wrong with your brain, talk to your doctor. It is a medical emergency."