Exercise to Cut your Stroke Risk
Just walking briskly 30-minutes a day can lower the risk of having a stroke. Even for people who have other risk factors for stroke, a moderate level of aerobic fitness can significantly reduce the risk in both men and women, according to a large, long-running study from the Cooper Aerobics Center in Dallas, Texas. Most people can reach a moderate fitness range by walking briskly for 30 minutes a day, five times a week.
Researchers from the Arnold School of Public Health analyzed data on more than 60,000people who participated in the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study between 1970 and 2001 at the Cooper Aerobics Center.
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the US, with about 150,000 deaths resulting from around 780,000 strokes per year. A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is stopped when a blood vessel is blocked by a clot or that clot bursts. Physical activity can help lower blood pressure and prevent blood clots and the buildup of artery-clogging plaque.
So, what does this mean for you? First of all, always check with your doctor before starting any type of exercise program, no matter how moderate. Then, if you are not exercising at all, it’s time to kick it up a notch! This doesn’t mean you have to go run a marathon tomorrow. Find different ways to be more active during the day. Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator or parking a little further from your destination. Take your shoes to work with you and walk during your break or lunch. Even three bouts of 10 minutes a day has been found to be as beneficial as one 30-minute session per day. But also check out the local health clubs, your local YMCA/YWCA and even see what your church offers. If necessary, start your own walking club! Get some neighbors together and meet at a regular time. Often finding someone to keep you motivated, and who you will motivate, can make all the difference.
If you feel dizzy, have pain (especially in your chest) or have difficulty breathing, stop exercising immediately and tell your doctor.
To read more about this study, go to:
http://sph.sc.edu/news/cardiofitness.htm
To learn more about stroke prevention, go to:
http://tinyurl.com/2j6yg3
http://www.stroke.org.uk/information/preventing_a_stroke/exercise.html
Researchers from the Arnold School of Public Health analyzed data on more than 60,000people who participated in the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study between 1970 and 2001 at the Cooper Aerobics Center.
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the US, with about 150,000 deaths resulting from around 780,000 strokes per year. A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is stopped when a blood vessel is blocked by a clot or that clot bursts. Physical activity can help lower blood pressure and prevent blood clots and the buildup of artery-clogging plaque.
So, what does this mean for you? First of all, always check with your doctor before starting any type of exercise program, no matter how moderate. Then, if you are not exercising at all, it’s time to kick it up a notch! This doesn’t mean you have to go run a marathon tomorrow. Find different ways to be more active during the day. Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator or parking a little further from your destination. Take your shoes to work with you and walk during your break or lunch. Even three bouts of 10 minutes a day has been found to be as beneficial as one 30-minute session per day. But also check out the local health clubs, your local YMCA/YWCA and even see what your church offers. If necessary, start your own walking club! Get some neighbors together and meet at a regular time. Often finding someone to keep you motivated, and who you will motivate, can make all the difference.
If you feel dizzy, have pain (especially in your chest) or have difficulty breathing, stop exercising immediately and tell your doctor.
To read more about this study, go to:
http://sph.sc.edu/news/cardiofitness.htm
To learn more about stroke prevention, go to:
http://tinyurl.com/2j6yg3
http://www.stroke.org.uk/information/preventing_a_stroke/exercise.html
posted by Margie Geiser, MBA, RD, NSCA-CPT at
6:24 AM
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