Older adults who function well in daily life are half as likely to have a stroke compared to those who don't have good physical function, according to a study published in the Dec. 11 issue of Neurology.
The study included 13,615 men and women between the ages of 40 and 79 who had never had a stroke, heart attack, or cancer. Participants completed a self-report test on their physical function that included how well they were able to climb stairs, carry groceries, kneel, bend, and lift. The researchers monitored how many strokes occurred in this group over a seven-year period. Those who scored in the top 25 percent on the physical function test had a 50 percent lower risk of stroke than those with the lowest test scores.
The study results "make a great argument for everyone to focus on taking stairs at least occasionally. It's probably one of the easiest ways to add a little physical activity to your day," says Michael O'Dell, MD, chief of rehabilitation medicine at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. Improving other aspects of your daily functioning, such as lifting and bending, also make sense. However, if you have arthritis in your shoulders, hips, or hands, talk with your doctor first before trying to do any heavy carrying.
Staying active helps
Most strokes are caused by a blockage in an artery that supplies blood and oxygen to the brain, resulting in numbness or weakness on one side of the body, sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding, and other symptoms. A stroke also can be caused by bleeding into the brain, usually from uncontrolled high blood pressure or a weak spot in the wall of an artery. Exercise can help reduce risk by improving circulation to the brain and helping to lower blood pressure.
However, Dr. O'Dell notes that although the study showed a correlation between good physical function and lower stroke risk, it does not necessarily prove that the lowered stroke risk was due to better physical function.
"Individuals who had better physical function may have been healthier to start with, whereas individuals with poor physical function might have underlying health issues that led them to function poorly," he explains. "In that case, the ability to function would be an indicator of lowered stroke risk."
Nonetheless, "Being active is better than being less active," Dr. O'Dell stresses. "If you're able to get dressed by yourself, shop, fix meals for yourself--in short, do as much as you can for yourself--that, in and of itself, is great exercise, as opposed to letting somebody do those things for you. And, of course, it increases your independence."
Walking regularly is a simple and effective way to maintain function as you age, Dr. O'Dell says. If you have arthritis in the knees or hips or a balance problem, walk in a hallway or in your home, rather than outside--at least at first, he advises. Consider working with a physical therapist or other health professional who can help you with balance problems so you can then go outside and walk.
Additional benefits
"Beyond the study, there are many other reasons to improve your physical activity level and function," Dr. O'Dell says. "You also build cardiopulmonary stamina so you have more energy and less fatigue in the course of daily activities, and reduce your risk of osteoporosis."
Other proven benefits of regular physical activity, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, include:
* Lower overall mortality
* Lower risk of coronary heart disease, colon cancer, diabetes, and obesity
* Lower risk of developing high blood pressure
* Improved mood and relief of depression symptoms
* Improved function in people with arthritis
* Lower risk of falls and injury.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
* Find activities you enjoy that can become a regular part of your daily routine, and find others to join you.
* Get an exercise prescription from your doctor that includes realistic goals and places to go for group activities.
* Through diet and exercise, aim for a body mass index (BMI) between 18 and 24.9. To calculate your BMI, divide your weight (in pounds) by your height (in inches) squared, and multiply the result by 703.
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