Stroke Risk Test

What it measures

This check assesses your personal burden of modifiable stroke risk factors — those you can act on — including high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, smoking, physical inactivity, diet, weight, alcohol, diabetes, and personal or family history of stroke. It does not require any blood tests and takes under three minutes. It is an educational risk-awareness tool, not a validated clinical score.

How it works

Each question covers a major modifiable risk factor and carries a weight reflecting its relative importance to stroke risk based on published evidence. High blood pressure and atrial fibrillation score highest because they are the two strongest modifiable drivers. Your answers are summed into a total out of 27 and placed in one of four risk bands — from Lower to Very High — with practical advice tailored to each level. Scores are never stored or shared; they exist only to give you a personalised snapshot in this session.

Tips for an accurate result

• 1Check your blood pressure regularly — High blood pressure is the leading single cause of stroke and usually has no symptoms. The NHS recommends checking at least every 5 years from age 40 (more often if it has been raised before). Many pharmacies offer free checks. A target of below 130/80 mmHg is associated with the greatest risk reduction.
• 2Know your heart rhythm — Atrial fibrillation (AF) multiplies stroke risk four to five times but often causes no symptoms. Check your pulse for 30 seconds — an irregular or chaotic beat warrants a GP visit. AF can be detected with a simple ECG and, when confirmed, treated with anticoagulants that cut stroke risk by roughly two-thirds.
• 3Cut salt — and read labels — Reducing salt intake to below 6 g a day (one teaspoon) is one of the most effective single dietary changes for lowering blood pressure. Most UK adults consume around 8–9 g daily, largely from processed food. Switching to whole foods, cooking from scratch, and checking labels for sodium content all help.
• 4Move more, every day — Regular moderate-intensity activity (brisk walking, cycling, swimming) for at least 150 minutes a week lowers blood pressure, helps weight management, and improves insulin sensitivity — all of which reduce stroke risk. Breaking up long periods of sitting also benefits vascular health.
• 5Stop smoking with support — Smoking roughly doubles stroke risk; stopping is the single most impactful action most smokers can take. Within 2 years of quitting, stroke risk drops significantly. The NHS Stop Smoking Service offers free advice, behavioural support, and access to medications that double quit rates compared with willpower alone.