Walking shrinks women's stroke risk

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36198594/ns/health-womens_health/

By JAMIE STENGLE

updated 4:15 p.m. ET, Tues., April 6, 2010
DALLAS - Women can lower their stroke risk by lacing up their sneakers and walking, a new study suggests.

Women who said they walked briskly had a 37 percent lower risk of stroke than those who didn't walk. Women who reported walking at least two hours a week at any pace had a 30 percent lower risk, according to a study published online Tuesday in the American Heart Association journal Stroke.

While previous studies have shown that physical activity decreases the chances of having a stroke, the new study focused on what kind of exercise might be most beneficial for women.

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Those walking at a brisk pace should be able to talk — but not sing, he said.

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Besides walking, the study looked at vigorous activities like running, swimming and biking, but researchers didn't find a link between those vigorous activities and a reduced stroke risk. The researcher said there may not have been enough women in that group to show a difference. It's also possible, they said, that moderate activity is better at lowering blood pressure, a strong risk factor for stroke.

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In addition to high blood pressure, risk factors for stroke include heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and obesity.

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