The journal Neurology reports on Finish research on smoking and strokes. Figures showed that the number of Finish smokers aged between 16 and 64 had dropped by 30%, during the years between 1998 and 2012. During the same time period there was a drop in the number of people who suffered subarachnoid haemorrhage - by 45% in women, and by 38% in men.
Haemorrhage occurs when a blood vessel bursts, flooding part of the brain with too much blood, depriving other parts of the body with adequate blood supply.
30% of haemorrhage sufferers die before reaching hospital. A further 25% die within 24 hours. 40% die within a week. Many survivors have lifelong disabilties.
The director of ASH - Action on Smoking and Health - has said that this is a wake up call to smokers, who should seek support in giving up.
Matthew Hall, Master in Clinical Hypnosis
