Physical activity and stroke in British middle aged men.

Content Provider	Semantic Scholar
Author	Wannamethee, Goya Shaper, A. Gerald
Copyright Year	1992
Abstract	OBJECTIVES To assess the relation between physical activity and stroke and to determine the overall benefit of physical activity for all major cardiovascular events. DESIGN Prospective study of a cohort of men followed up for 9.5 years. SETTING General practices in 24 towns in England, Wales, and Scotland (British regional heart study). SUBJECTS 7735 men aged 40-59 at screening, selected at random from one general practice in each of 24 towns. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Fatal and non-fatal strokes and heart attacks. RESULTS 128 major strokes (fatal and non-fatal) occurred. Physical activity was inversely associated with risk of stroke independent of coronary risk factors, heavy drinking, and pre-existing ischaemic heart disease or stroke (relative risk 1.0 for inactivity, 0.6 moderate activity, and 0.3 vigorous activity; test for trend p = 0.008). The association remained after excluding men reporting regular sporting (vigorous) activity. However, vigorous physical activity was associated with a marginally significant increased risk of heart attack compared with moderate or moderately vigorous activity in men with no pre-existing ischaemic heart disease or stroke (relative risk 1.6%; 95% confidence interval 0.96 to 2.8). In men with symptomatic ischaemic heart disease or stroke those doing moderately vigorous or vigorous activity had a risk of heart attack slightly higher than that in inactive men (relative risk = 1.6; 0.8 to 3.3). CONCLUSIONS Moderate physical activity significantly reduces the risk of stroke and heart attacks in men both with and without pre-existing ischaemic heart disease. More vigorous activity did not confer any further protection. Moderate activity, such as frequent walking and recreational activity or weekly sporting activity, should be encouraged without restriction.
Starting Page	597
Ending Page	601
Page Count	5
File Format	PDF HTM / HTML
Alternate Webpage(s)	http://www.bmj.com/content/bmj/304/6827/597.full.pdf
PubMed reference number	1559088v1
Volume Number	304
Issue Number	6827
Journal	BMJ
Language	English
Access Restriction	Open
Subject Keyword	Analgesics Back Pain Cerebrovascular accident Confidence Intervals Fifty Nine Heart Diseases How True Feel Vigorous Right Now Major Depressive Disorder Manipulation procedure Middle Aged Moderate Exercise Moderate Response Myocardial Infarction Myocardial Ischemia Neck Pain Patients Physical Inactivity Physical therapy exercises Sports
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article