Stroke Foundation has issued an urgent call to action, asking everyone to get moving this September to reduce their risk of stroke and other chronic conditions.
Data from Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows that nearly two in every five Australian adults aged 18-64 do not meet the recommended guidelines for physical activity (37 per cent).
Stroke Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Dr Lisa Murphy, says this is a concerning statistic.
‘This equates to around 10.5 million Australians who are not getting the recommended amount of physical exercise. Being physically active is important for good health and wellbeing at any age, and is one of the most simple and effective ways you can reduce your risk of stroke. Everyone should be making daily physical activity a priority to reduce their risk of stroke.’
To combat physical inactivity, Stroke Foundation will next week kick off its Stride4Stroke campaign. The month-long September challenge encourages Australians to get active, in any way they choose.
How to help
‘Stride4Stroke gives Australians a simple and inclusive way to get moving, raise awareness and help create a future with fewer strokes. Whether you walk, run, swim, ride, stretch or take part in stroke recovery, every minute moved and every dollar raised makes a difference,’ Dr Murphy said.
Stroke is one of Australia’s leading causes of death and disability, with around 46,000 stroke events impacting Australians of all ages every year. That translates to one stroke every 11 minutes. In addition to this, the single biggest modifiable risk factor for stroke is high blood pressure.
’80 per cent of strokes are preventable, so the good news is you can lower your risk of stroke by making healthier changes in your life such as exercising regularly, quitting smoking, eating a healthy balanced diet and reducing your alcohol intake,’ Dr Murphy said.
‘You can stride anywhere, anytime, and in any way that gets you moving. Just 30 minutes of exercise five times a week can reduce your risk of stroke by 25 per cent; and every dollar raised goes towards vital stroke prevention, research, recovery programs and advocacy.’
