Spending more time doing any physical activity, even of low intensity , was associated with a lower risk of stroke in a population of middle-aged people. Furthermore, in the studied population, the regular practice of moderate to intense physical activity was associated with an additional benefit in the prevention of stroke. These were the main conclusions of a study recently published in a leading scientific journal. This study included: 7607 people; Over 45 years old, average age of 63 years; 54.5% women; Without known cardiovascular diseases. For 7 consecutive days all participants used an accelerometer to measure their physical activity levels: low intensity, moderate-intense, sedentary behavior. Subsequently, the studied population was followed for an average period of 7.4 years. During this period, 286 strokes occurred in the population studied; The relation between the risk of having a stroke and the level of physical activity and sedentary behavior was determined. The conclusions in numbers Regular moderate-intensity physical activity , an average of 25 minutes per day or 3 hours per week, reduced stroke risk by 43% ; A sedentary lifestyle , translated into more than 13 hours a day sitting and without any physical activity, increased the risk of stroke by 44% . Applying this knowledge to our daily lives The results of this study reinforce the idea that any physical exercise is always better than none and can have a huge impact on health! 25 minutes a day of moderate-intensive physical activity, for example walking, running, cycling, swimming or playing tennis or football, among others, reduces the risk of stroke. But if you cannot keep up with the 25 minutes a day, this same study found that doing daily home activities around the house, which require some physical effort, can also be beneficial . Vacuuming the house, dusting, hanging clothes do dry, washing the dishes, gardening, or even doing some other kind of low intensity physical activity, for 4-5 hours every day, reduced the risk of stroke by 26%. This effect is lower than that of more intense physical activity, but it is an excellent alternative for those who cannot or cannot make a greater physical effort. It was in the most sedentary participants in this study that the risk of stroke was higher . For every hour spent sitting, the risk of stroke increased by an average of 14%. And in these more sedentary participants, the risk of stroke was minimized in those who avoided sitting for very long periods! Remember Currently, stroke is worldwide the second leading cause of death and the third leading cause of disability. Among the modifiable risk factors for a stroke, physical activity occupies an important place. Thus, the risk of stroke can also be reduced with simple actions that only depend on each of us ! Try to do at least 25 minutes a day of moderate-intense physical activity; If it is not possible, do low intensity physical activity, move more; And always avoid sitting for prolonged periods. These simple actions have a huge importance in your health . Author : José Ferreira Santos Source Hooker SP, Diaz KM, Blair SN, Colabianchi N, Hutton B, McDonnell MN, et al. Association of accelerometer-measured sedentary time and physical activity with risk of stroke among US adults . JAMA Network Open 2022;5:e2215385 Meet the cardiology clinical team from Hospital da Luz network. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
