Stop Strokes

Here is the latest email from Dr. Jacobs.

Stop a Stroke with This Many Walks
By RealAge

How many walks do you need to take this week to make a big dent in your stroke risk? Just a handful of 30-minute hikes could have a major impact.

In a study, women who walked at least 2 hours a week -- think 30-minute walk, four times -- were 30 percent less likely to suffer a stroke compared with non-walkers.

Pace Counts, Too
In the 12-year study, walking pace also played a role in preventing strokes. It paid to focus on more than just a leisurely stroll. In fact, being able to cover 1 mile in 20 minutes was ideal. Women who averaged this pace had a 37 percent lower risk of stroke compared with the non-walkers.

Step by Step
Walking regularly at a moderate pace can lower blood pressure, reduce plaque buildup and inflammation in your arteries, help your blood vessels function better, and improve your blood lipid profile and insulin sensitivity -- all of which help keep your stroke risk low. How fortunate that walking also happens to be one of the easiest exercises around!