Keep Fit and Halve Your Stroke Risk

UK physicians have examined results from a total of 13,500 men and women with regard to their risk of stroke, and reported their findings in the journal Neurology. At enrollment the participants, who were between 40 and 79, were free of stroke, heart attack, and cancer. The subject provided information on health and lifestyle, including a questionnaire on physical function.

There were 244 strokes reported during the 11 to 14 years of follow-up. After adjusting for known risk factors for stroke – age, sex, body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, diabetes social class, alcohol consumption, and respiratory function – it was found that the likelihood of having a stroke was halved in those participants who were in the top 25% of physical fitness.

As an expert says of the report: “This study does not show causation, but clearly, individuals who follow current guidelines for decreasing risk for stroke and general cardiovascular disease – including keeping physically active – have better outcomes. What people need to try to do is to go from where they are to more.”

If your exercise routine seems to be in a rut, try to do more, but maybe differently. Perhaps you should get a Wii.