Physical Activity and Stroke Risk

Abstract

Background and Purpose-Whether physical activity reduces stroke risk remains controversial. We used a meta-analysis to examine the overall association between physical activity or cardiorespiratory fitness and stroke incidence or mortality. Methods-We searched MEDLINE from 1966 to 2002 and identified 23 studies (18 cohort and 5 case-control) that met inclusion criteria. We estimated the overall relative risk (RR) of stroke incidence or mortality for highly and moderately active individuals versus individuals with low levels of activity using the general variance-based method. Results-The meta-analysis documented that there was a reduction in stroke risk for active or fit individuals compared with inactive or unfit persons in cohort, case-control, and both study types combined. For cohort studies, highly active individuals had a 25% lower risk of stroke incidence or mortality (RRϭ0.75; 95% CI, 0.69 to 0.82) compared with low-active individuals. For case-control studies, highly active individuals had a 64% lower risk of stroke incidence (RRϭ0.36; 95% CI, 0.25 to 0.52) than their low-active counterparts. When we combined both the cohort and case-control studies, highly active individuals had a 27% lower risk of stroke incidence or mortality (RRϭ0.73; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.79) than did low-active individuals. We observed similar results in moderately active individuals compared with inactive persons (RRs were 0.83 for cohort, 0.52 for case-control, and 0.80 for both combined). Furthermore, moderately and highly active individuals had lower risk of both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes than low-active individuals. Conclusions-We conclude that moderate and high levels of physical activity are associated with reduced risk of total, ischemic, and hemorrhagic strokes.

Physical Activity Status and Related Factors among Middle-Aged Women in West of Iran, Hamadan: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Furthermore, several epidemiological studies have shown that insufficient physical activity increases mortality rate (Pate et al, 1995;Dumith, 2011;WHO, 2010). RPA has also been associated with reduction of risk factors for the development of cerebral disease (Lee, 2003). every single individual in Australia, the United kingdom and Switzerland ranging from$ 28.40 to $334.40 and indirect costs associated with inactivity ranging from $ 154.70 to$ 418.90 in the United States and Canada (Kohl et al, 2012).…”

Lifestyle-focused interventions at the workplace to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease – a systematic review

“…For example, skipping breakfast increases the likelihood of eating more energy-dense snacks throughout the day. Physical inactivity is another lifestyle behavior associated with an elevated CVD risk (12)(13)(14), not least due to its contribution to weight gain. Since lifestyle is a strong but modifiable risk factor for CVD, it has been the subject of research for many years.…”

Physical activity and the risk of stroke

“…Reinforcing the importance of early exercise, a subsequent case-control study assessed the impact of participation in vigorous sports or other physical activities between the ages of 15 and 25 years on later stroke risk [5]. Those who did not exercise had a threefold increased chance of stroke in later life (odds ratio [6]. Combining both types of studies, highly active individuals had a 27% lower risk of stroke or death as compared with persons with lower levels of activity (RR: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.67-0.79), with a similar benefit in those engaging in moderate activity (RR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.74-0.86).…”