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Salford Royal Hospital is currently carrying out studies into dysphagia, which is a problem when swallowing experienced by some stroke sufferers.

Run by the North West Stroke Research Network, the first research project will examine stroke victims who are experiencing difficulties eight weeks after having the stroke, reports the Manchester Evening News.

The second will look at those who have had a stroke within three weeks and may or may not be suffering from difficulty in swallowing.

Dr Samantha Jefferson told the newspaper: "Swallowing is a very complex activity that involves many nerves and muscles which can be damaged by a stroke.

"Some patients find their quality of life is much lower if they have swallowing problems."

She also adds that some stroke suffers also have to change their diets or learn new ways to swallow.

The North West Stroke Research Network, which is based at the Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, is comprised of clinicians, patients and carers that carry out studies that are designed to improve patient care.

The Insurance Helpline specialises in obtaining cover for people living with stroke.

Binge drinkers are twice as likely to suffer a stroke as non-smokers, according to experts.

The Stroke Association has stated that those people who drink six or more units in one sitting can have dangerously high blood pressure, which is a major factor for a stroke.

According to the charity, however, only 40 per cent of people are aware that stroke can be caused by binge drinking, with just a quarter of those surveyed by the charity saying they would reduce their alcohol intake to minimise the risk of a stroke.

Commenting on the findings, Joe Korner, director of communications at the Stroke Association, said: "Stroke can be a devastating condition and can affect anyone, of any age, at any time.

"By binge drinking you are increasing your risk of stroke and leaving yourself vulnerable to serious consequences such as long-term disability or even death."

According to government estimation, 18 per cent of men and eight per cent of women drink over eight units and six units respectively at least one day a week.

The Insurance Helpline specialises in obtaining cover for people living with medical conditions.

Scientists have discovered that military radar technology may be an effective tool in detecting and monitoring heart attacks and strokes.

The research has been conducted at the University of Leicester and aims to prove that such technology can be adapted to detect dangerous blockages in blood, potentially reducing heart attack which is the third most common cause of death in the UK.

Joanna Cowe, a military systems engineer working at the university’s medical physics group explained how ultrasound can be used to target emboli, the blockages that are responsible for one quarter of all strokes.

She noted: "Research into the detection of emboli and vascular disease, using ultrasound, has the potential to reduce stroke death and disability rates, and to generate large financial savings."

In related news, a study by the British Medical Journal has found that being resistant to aspirin makes patients four times more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke.


The Insurance Helpline specialises in obtaining cover for people living with medical conditions.

People hoping to improve their prospects of finding affordable diabetes insurance or cancer insurance may not want to look to their bosses for inspiration.

New research carried out by Bupa Wellness has indicated that a large number of managers follow unhealthy diets and lifestyles.

In spite of the UK’s smoking bans and widespread media campaigns to encourage giving up the habit, one in ten senior level employees assessed by the healthcare specialists admitted that they still light up.

Furthermore, one in four revealed they lead a sedentary lifestyle by failing to take exercise at least once a week - increasing their risk of a heart attack or stroke by the same amount as a smoker.

Around 61 per cent had a high Body Mass Index, which opens individuals up to the risk of developing high blood pressure, raised cholesterol, diabetes and some cancers.

"It is accepted that people follow examples of strong leaders," remarked Dr Peter Mace, medical director at Bupa Wellness.

He continued: "For a manager to be seen to be making their health a priority by making changes to their diet and lifestyle, it will encourage employees to do the same."

Scientists recently concluded that people who keep fit past the age of 40 cut their chances of a stroke by half.

The Insurance Helpline specialises in obtaining cover for people living with medical conditions

The roles of different cholesterol types in the development of heart disease have been highlighted by new research.

Scientists at the University of Michigan School of Public Health carried out an international study of 20,000 people to ascertain whether genetic variants influence lipid levels and whether those variants are linked to the decreased or increased risk of heart disease.

In the course of their work, the team discovered seven new genes that influence blood cholesterol levels - a major factor in heart disease.

"It was surprising that while genetic variants that increase your bad cholesterol are also associated with increased risk of heart disease, we did not find that variants influencing your good cholesterol were associated with decreased risk of coronary artery disease," remarked the study’s co-director, Goncalo Abecasis.

"Perhaps that result will lead us to reexamine the roles of good and bad cholesterol in susceptibility to heart disease," he continued.

The team hopes that the identification of new gene regions associated with cholesterol levels could lead to the development of better treatments for people.

Coronary artery disease, the most common type of heart disease, can cause heart attack, stroke, angina and other heart conditions.

The Insurance Helpline specialises in obtaining cover for people living with heart disease

Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can increase an individual’s risk of a stroke, according to a new study.

Tulane University researchers concluded that heavy drinking - more than 21 drinks per week – can induce hypertension (high blood pressure), which is a key risk factor for a stroke.

Focusing their study on a nationally representative sample of Chinese men, the team examined the relationship between alcohol consumption and the condition.

"The relationship between alcohol intake and the development of stroke has not been very clear from observational studies done in the past," noted Dr Lydia Bazzano, assistant professor of epidemiology at the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.

She continued: "We wanted to look at this relationship in a really large cohort, which gives us the best power to detect any association."

Alcohol consumption has also been linked to exaggerated insulin secretion, resulting in severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) – potentially life-threatening for people with diabetes.

Health campaigners maintain that education is necessary throughout the world to curb alcohol abuse and the plethora of complications it creates for people with existing medical conditions.

The Insurance Helpline specialises in obtaining cover for people living with medical conditions

Individuals who suffer from restless leg syndrome (RLS) are twice as likely to have a stroke or heart attack, according to new research.

Scientists based at Harvard Medical School also found that those with the most frequent and severe RLS symptoms were most at risk of heart disease.

"The association of RLS with heart disease and stroke was strongest in those people who had RLS symptoms at least 16 times per month," remarked study author John W Winkelman.

As the largest of its kind to be undertaken, the work involved nearly 3,500 patients, with seven per cent of women and three per cent of men suffering from RLS.

Commenting on the study’s findings, Mr Winkelman suggested that RLS is linked to substantial increases in blood pressure and heart rate which, over the long term, could develop into cardiovascular disease.

However he admitted that the study had its limitations, as diagnosis of RLS in patients was self-reported by questionnaire rather than clinical interview.

It follows last month’s study by German researchers, which concluded that transplanting genetically engineered cells into heart attack victims could help reduce the risk of sudden death following the event.

The Insurance Helpline specialises in obtaining cover for people living with medical conditions

Those who are looking at details of stroke insurance could help themselves by eating five portions of fruit and veg a day, say the Stroke Association.

It is estimated that eating this amount could reduce the risk of having a stroke by 26 per cent.

A spokesperson for the Stroke Association, said that being overweight can increase the risk of having a stroke.

"Carrying extra weight around your waist is particularly important, because that might increase the risk of stroke, heart disease and some cancers by up to three times," she said.

She added that even eating just one serving a day can reduce risk by six per cent.

"Three servings of wholegrain food – things like whole wheat bread, cereal, and pasta – can almost halve your risk of stroke," she concluded.

According to the Stroke Association, an estimated 150,000 people have a stroke in the UK each year.

A stroke is the third most common cause of death in England and Wales, after heart disease and cancer and accounts for over 67,000 deaths each year in the UK.

Individuals exploring the possibility of stroke insurance could help themselves by keeping fit beyond their 40th birthday, it has been suggested.

Scientists from the University of Cambridge found that people over 40 who were still able to climb stairs, kneel, bend and lift potentially cut their chances of a stroke by half.

Their study, published in the latest issue of journal Neurology, examined 13,615 men and women in the UK from 1993 to 1997 who were between the ages of 40 and 79 and had not suffered a stroke, heart attack or cancer.

They completed a self-reported test on their physical function 18 months later, stating how well they were able to climb stairs, carry groceries, kneel, bend and lift, while the researchers monitored how many strokes were suffered in the group during 2005.

"People who reported better physical health had significantly lower risk of stroke," confirmed study author Phyo Kyaw Myint.

"This is independent of the known risk factors for stroke in the general population," added Dr Myint, referring to considerations including age, blood pressure, smoking and diabetes.

Several scientific studies have previously concluded that increasing physical activity and eating more fruit and vegetables may also help reduce stroke risk.

The Insurance Helpline specialises in obtaining cover for people living with medical conditions

A UK family face losing their home after failing to qualify for a critical illness insurance payout.

When Pete Nash from Kings Langley had surgery this year to remove a cluster of blood vessels from his brain, he had to quit working.

He turned to Norwich Union to make a claim on the critical illness policy for which he pays £80 every month.

"We have paid our critical life insurance for years and you can’t be any more critically ill than Pete was," his wife, Julia, told the Hemel Gazette.

However, her husband’s condition did not, according to the insurer, fall into its four critical illness categories.

"Mr Nash contacted Norwich Union to make a claim on his critical illness policy as a result of a stroke," a spokesperson for the provider told the local newspaper.

"Having investigated the case we did not uphold the claim as there was no medical evidence that Mr Nash had suffered a stroke. This was clearly set out by Mr Nash’s neurosurgeon at the time," the representative continued.

Presently unable to keep up mortgage repayments on their house, Mr Nash and his family have been warned by their bank that they face repossession.

The Insurance Helpline specialises in obtaining cover for people with medical conditions