The number of people having strokes in South London fell by more than a third in fifteen years, according to a new study.
Researchers from Kings College London found that stroke rates in the area dropped by 39.5% between 1995 and 2010.
They say it may be down to an increase in healthy living - or the use of drugs to lower cholesterol.
Dr Madina Kara, researcher at the Stroke Association, welcomed the findings.
It's encouraging to see such a striking reduction in the number of people having a stroke in the past 16 years. Public health campaigns around the risk factors for stroke, such as high blood pressure and smoking are helping people to take control of their health and reduce their risk of stroke. This reduction, however, is not being mirrored in those under 45 years old, and the black population, where the incidence of stroke remains high.
We know that the African-Caribbean community are at greater risk of sickle cell disease, diabetes and high blood pressure - conditions that can lead to stroke. This means they are twice as likely to have a stroke compared to the white population. In addition, haemorrhagic stroke, caused by bleeding within or around the brain, is more common in younger adults.
Stroke changes lives in an instant and can have a devastating physical and emotional impact on not only the stroke survivor, but their family and carers as well. To help reduce stroke across the whole population, we all need to take steps to reduce our risk.
More top news
As we go into the Bank Holiday weekend, the changeable weather pattern looks set to continue.
A Chelsea pensioner has been imprisoned for 12 months for sexually assaulting a young woman in his room.
Once a year W11 comes alive with the colour of carnival. Everything you need to know about getting around and what to see in Notting Hill.