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Stroke and Exercise
December 15, 2008 |
We all know that regular exercise
can do wonders for your general health.
Dr. Paul Driscoll is a neurologist. He says, “It lowers your weight. Generally speaking
that lowers your need for blood pressure medicines and medicines for diabetes. It
will also raise your good cholesterol and to an extent lower your bad cholesterol.”
Obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol are also risk factors for
stroke. So by exercising and managing those conditions you are automatically reducing
your risk for having a stroke. Dr. Driscoll says, “What the regular exercise will
do is generally reduce your body fat which lowers your risk of stroke and heart
attack. Regular exercise is very important for people to prevent stroke.”
You don’t have to be a gym rat to gain the benefits of exercise. Dr. Driscoll advises
people to start by doing something active for a few minutes each day and work up
to longer workouts a few days a week. He says, “20 or 30 minutes three to four times a week of regular exercise, something that gets your heart rate up and makes you
perspire a little bit.” Regular exercise also reduces your risk of developing coronary
artery disease which is also one of the biggest factors for stroke.
Along with stroke prevention, studies show exercise will actually help you maintain
your balance and coordination as you age. |
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