Lower your risk of stroke after 65

Physical fitness in middle age may lower your risk of stroke after 65

Physical fitness

A recently published study has found that physical fitness in middle age could decrease an individual’s chances of stroke post-65. Dr. Ralph Sacco, chairman of neurology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, said that it has been becoming more and clearer that healthy mid-life behaviors bear fruits as we age, and decrease our chances of contracting cardiovascular disease and suffer a stroke. Dr. Sacco wasn’t involved in the study.
Researchers analyzed roughly 20,000 adults in their mid to late 40s, and discovered that the fittest had 37% decreased risk of suffering a stroke after 65, in comparison to the most unfit.
Fitness’ protective effect stayed even after the researchers considered stroke risk factors, including high blood pressure, type-2 diabetes and an abnormal heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation.
Lead researcher Dr. Ambarish Pandey, a cardiology fellow at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, said, “Incorporating exercise and regular physical activity in one's day-to-day routine is important to improve fitness and lower risk of stroke and other cardiovascular diseases in older age”.

As per the recommendations of the American Heart Association, an individual must do minimum 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week or 75 minutes of energetic exercise in a week.

Pandey added that an exercise routine must include aerobic exercise like walking, jogging, swimming, or biking, along with strengthening exercises, including free weights or strength-training machines.

Pandey noted that in the United States, stroke is the fifth main cause of death and a major cause of long-term disability.

Generally, occurrence of strokes takes place when a blood clot obstructs a blood vessel in the brain, stopping the supply of blood and oxygen. It results into death of brain cells and can lead to lifelong disability.

A report published in Voa News revealed, "Doctors studied 20,000 men and women between the ages of 45 and 50, and concluded that those who were most fit from moderate to vigorous exercise had a 37 percent lower risk of a stroke than those who were the least fit."

They say the reduced risk of a future stroke was present even when the subjects had other risk factors, including high blood pressure and type-2 diabetes. The study urges doctors not to ignore low levels of exercise and fitness as risk factors for a stroke.

"The protective effect of fitness remained even after the researchers accounted for risk factors for stroke, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and an abnormal heart rhythm known as atrial fibrillation," according to a news report published by Web MD.

"Incorporating exercise and regular physical activity in one's day-to-day routine is important to improve fitness and lower risk of stroke and other cardiovascular diseases in older age," said lead researcher Dr. Ambarish Pandey. He is a cardiology fellow at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise a week. Pandey said an exercise routine should include aerobic exercise (such as jogging, swimming, walking or biking), plus strengthening exercise (such as free weights or strength-training machines).

Most strokes occur when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel in the brain, cutting off blood and oxygen. This causes brain cells to die and can leave permanent disability. Pandey speculated that exercise might help prevent stroke by keeping blood vessels healthier and lowering inflammation that can affect their function.

According to a story published on the topic by Daily Mail, "The US researchers analysed data on almost 20,000 men and women who had been put through a fitness test on a treadmill while aged between 45 and 50 and had their health tracked until they were at least 65."

Study author, Ambarish Pandey, of the University of Texas, said: ‘We all hear that exercise is good for you but many people still don’t do it. ‘Our hope is that this objective data on preventing fatal disease such as stroke will help motivate people to get moving and get fit.’

The NHS recommends that adults spend five days a week doing moderate exercise, such as cycling or brisk walking. This should be strenuous enough to raise heart rate and temperature but not so tiring that someone can’t talk.

source: nhv