Brisk walking can reduce stroke risk in women

A large study published in Stroke found that women who walked two or more hours a week or walked briskly lowered the risk of stroke by more than a third.


The researchers followed nearly 40000 women aged over 44 for about 12 years to investigate the link between the levels of physical actitivity and the risk of having a stroke. The participants reported periodically on their physical activities via a questionnaire. 579 women had a stroke during the follow-up years.


The researchers said they have found a borderline significant link between the time spent on physical activities and stroke risk but they did not find a link between vigorous activity and reduced stroke risk. The lead author said the study was observational and physical activity was self-reported, further study is needed on more hemorrhagic strokes and with more ethnically diverse women.

Source: "Physical Activity and Risk of Stroke in Women". Stroke, published online April 2010 DOI

Aspirin can cut asthma in women

The Telegraph reported a study that found aspirin could cut the risk of asthma in women by 10%.

The study was based on a randomised controlled trial involving 37,270 female health professionals who took either 100 mg of aspirin every other day or a placebo. The participants completed questionnaires over a 10 year period, which included a question relating to newly diagnosed asthma. The results showed a 10% fewer cases of asthma with aspirin use. The researchers said that the results might not apply to all women.

Source: "Randomised Aspirin Assignment And Risk Of Adult-Onset Asthma In The Women's Health Study". Thorax 2008 March 13 (epub ahead of print)

Middle aged women have more stroke than men

US researchers found that women aged 45 to 54 were more than twice as likely to have a stroke as men of the same age.

The National Stroke Association (US) poll found that many women could not recognise even one stroke symptom. The F.A.S.T. test helps women detect the stroke symptoms. Read more...