According to the Stroke Association, more than 100,000 people will have a stroke in the UK each year and two thirds will be discharged from hospital with a disability. In the UK, the incidence of stroke fell by around 20% from 1990-2010 and this is largely explained by improved interventions aimed at reducing cardiovascular risk factors such as arterial hypertension, diabetes, smoking and cholesterol/dyslipidaemia, including increased physical exercise.