Study Says Moderate Level of Aerobic Fitness May Lower Stroke Risk

According to a large, long-running study presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2008, it has been suggested that a moderate level of aerobic fitness can significantly reduce stroke risk for men and women.

As the study's author, Steven Hooker, Ph.D put it: "Fitness has a protective effect regardless of the presence or absence of other stroke risk factors, including family history of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels and high body mass index."

He elaborates further stating that "This study is the first to suggest that there may be a significant independent association between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and fatal and nonfatal stroke in men and nonfatal stroke in women."

At this stage, it is noteworthy of mention that about 780,000 U.S. adults suffer a stroke each year, and stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States, according to the American Stroke Association.

It is noteworthy of mention that it's oft time fatal, claiming about 150,000 lives and ranking as the No. 3 cause of death.

Furthermore, according to Hooker, although many previous studies have looked at an association between self-reported physical activities and cardiovascular disease, few have used direct measurements such as the CRF measure used in this study.

To conclude, it should be stressed that this is also the first study to explore the association between CRF and risk of stroke in women.