What Is the Relationship Between Physical Activity and Cerebrovascular Disease and Stroke?
More physically active men and women generally have a lower risk of stroke incidence or mortality than the least active, with more active persons demonstrating a 25% to 30% lower risk for all strokes. A favorable relation exists between physical activity level and stroke (both for ischemic and for hemorrhagic stroke), but the data on these stroke subtypes are still quite limited. The benefits appear to be derived from a variety of activity types, including activity during leisure time, occupational activity, and walking. Overall, the relationship between activity and stroke is not influenced by sex or age, and very little data exist for race and ethnicity other than for non-Hispanic whites.
