Physical Activity and Ischemic Stroke Risk

Abstract

Background and Purpose—The relationship between physical activity and stroke is inconclusive according to the 1996 US Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health. Therefore, this study examined the relationship between physical activity and ischemic stroke risk among 14 575 Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study participants aged 45 to 64 years free of self-reported stroke and coronary heart disease at baseline. Methods—Eligible potential stroke hospitalizations were identified from ongoing hospital surveillance and from hospitalizations reported by the cohort study participants. All strokes were validated by hospitalization records. Physical activity was measured as sport, leisure (nonsport), and work with the use of the Baecke questionnaire. Multivariable Poisson and Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine the association of differing levels of physical activity with ischemic stroke incidence. Results—During an average of 7.2 years of follow-up, 189 incident ischemic strok...