Active Exercise can reduce mortality risk among stroke survivors: Study

Written By : Dr Kartikeya Kohli |Medically Reviewed By : Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli Published On 2021-08-24T09:00:32+05:30 | Updated On 24 Aug 2021 10:49 AM IST

Researchers from Canada discovered that individuals who met guideline-recommended levels of physical activity had considerably decreased risk of mortality from any cause, with a risk reduction of more than 50%. Dr. Raed A Joundi and team wanted to study the relationship of physical activity with mortality in community dwelling stroke survivors and published online in the American Academy of Neurology on August 11, 2021.

The study included 895 patients who had previously suffered a stroke with average 72 years old, while the control group included 97,805 people with average 63 years old and followed prescribed Physical Activity (PA) guideline. The data was recorded as metabolic equivalents (METs).

Key Findings of the study:

During the research period, stroke patients died at a higher rate than control (24.7 percent vs. 5.7 percent).

Participants from both the groups, who followed the physical activity guidelines of 10 MET-hours/week showed reduced mortality. It was observed that, between 0 and 10 METs per week, largest reduction in mortality was seen.

The study established that Stroke survivors under the age of 75 had the significantly relative reduction in death.

In stroke patients group, there was obvious interaction with age, but the same was not noticed in the control group.

The researchers found a log-linear relationship between physical activity and mortality like 10 MET-hours/week was associated with large reductions in mortality with most benefit achieved by 20 MET-hours/week and these thresholds could greatly help making the future guidelines for stroke. The team hopes that the results will influence future activity guidelines for those who have suffered a stroke.

In conclusion Dr. Joundi said, "People are at higher risk of death early on after a stroke but also months and years later, so if we can identify a relatively low-cost and easy intervention like physical activity to improve health and reduce the risk of death for stroke survivors it would be important."

For further insight

Raed A. Joundi, Scott B. Patten, Aysha Lukmanji, Jeanne VA Williams, Eric E. Smith Neurology Aug2021, 10.1212/WNL.0000000000012535; DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000012535

exercisestrokeneurology journalphysical activity

Dr Kartikeya Kohli

Dr Kartikeya Kohli is an Internal Medicine Consultant at Sitaram Bhartia Hospital in Delhi with super speciality training in Nephrology. He has worked with various eminent hospitals like Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Sir Gangaram Hospital. He holds an MBBS from Kasturba Medical College Manipal, DNB Internal Medicine, Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Research and Business Development, Fellow DNB Nephrology, MRCP and ECFMG Certification. He has been closely associated with India Medical Association South Delhi Branch and Delhi Medical Association and has been organising continuing medical education programs on their behalf from time to time. Further he has been contributing medical articles for their newsletters as well. He is also associated with electronic media and TV for conduction and presentation of health programs. He has been associated with Medical Dialogues for last 3 years and contributing articles on regular basis.

Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli

Dr Kamal Kant Kohli-MBBS, DTCD- a chest specialist with more than 30 years of practice and a flair for writing clinical articles, Dr Kamal Kant Kohli joined Medical Dialogues as a Chief Editor of Medical News. Besides writing articles, as an editor, he proofreads and verifies all the medical content published on Medical Dialogues including those coming from journals, studies,medical conferences,guidelines etc. Email: drkohli@medicaldialogues.in. Contact no. 011-43720751