to 79 years over an 11-and-a-half-year period.Publishing their findings in the British Medical Journal, they reveal that those who led the healthiest lifestyles were 2.3 times less likely to suffer a stroke than those with the least healthy lifestyles. The study focussed on four healthy behaviours - eating plenty of fruit and vegetables, exercising regularly, avoiding excessive alcohol consumption and not smoking.The researchers concluded: 'These results provide further incentive and support for the notion that small differences in lifestyle can have a substantial potential impact on risk.' Stroke is the third biggest killer and the leading cause of severe disability in the UK, according to the Stroke Association.A charity spokeswoman, Joanne Murphy, commented: 'Even small changes to our lifestyle factors, such as improved diet, drinking alcohol in moderation, not smoking and being active, can reduce your risk of stroke.
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