Strokes milder and less impairing for the physically active

"Regular exercise may help prevent stroke and its consequences for older adults, researchers here found. Strokes that occurred among the most physically active individuals were 2.54 times more likely to be mild and half as likely to leave victims impaired compared with those in the lowest exercise quartile, reported Lars-Henrik Krarup, M.D., of Copenhagen University Hospital, and colleagues in the October 21 issue of Neurology. These findings from a prospective trial of exercise after a stroke support American Heart Association recommendations for exercise to reduce stroke risk based on prior epidemiological and retrospective studies, they said. In addition to being a modifiable risk factor for incidence of stroke, a sedentary lifestyle may impact prognosis, Dr. Krarup's group said" - MedPage Today