Cardiologist explains how one hour exercising per week can lower the risk of stroke by more than 70%

Scientists are of the opinion that strokes, which are a primary cause of mortality and disability around the world, can be prevented in the majority of instances. The illness typically manifests itself when there is an abrupt interruption in the flow of blood to the brain. In the event that prompt treatment is not administered, the subsequent lack of oxygen that the brain experiences can be fatal. The good news is that research suggests that engaging in weight training for significantly less than an hour every week can significantly cut the risk of developing the fatal illness.

Research that was published in the journal Medicine and Science in Sports Exercise discovered that lifting weights for a period of time that was less than an hour each week could protect the heart and brain from catastrophic cardiac events.

The findings of the research showed that there was a forty percent and seventy percent reduction in the chance of having a heart attack or a stroke, respectively.

The findings are based on an examination of data collected from 13,000 participants who participated in the Aerobics Centre Longitudinal Study.

The researchers intended to pay particular attention to monitoring three distinct health outcomes.

These were cardiovascular events that resulted in death, including heart attacks and strokes, as well as all cardiovascular events, including deaths, and deaths from any cause.

People may believe that they need to spend a lot of time lifting weights, but just two sets of bench presses that take less than five minutes could be helpful, according to D.C. Lee, an associate professor of kinesiology at Iowa State University and co-author of the study.

“The most important thing is to lift weights of any kind, as this will enhance the resistance that your muscles face.”

“It makes no difference to the muscle in my body whether I’m lifting a dumbbell, carrying heavy shopping bags, or digging in the yard,” I’ll often say.

The development of lean muscle mass is one of the most significant advantages of strength training for the health of the cardiovascular system.

People automatically burn more energy by increasing muscle, even if they are not aerobically active, which offers a multitude of long-term benefits. Muscle building can be done in a variety of ways.

In addition, Professor Lee stated, “The results are positive; nevertheless, will people make weightlifting a part of their lifestyle?” Will they actually follow through and get sick from it? That is the question that costs a million dollars.”

One of the most significant benefits to one’s health that can be anticipated is a reduction in cholesterol levels, which in turn greatly lowers one’s risk of having a stroke or heart attack.

Research has found a plethora of other positive effects that weight training can have on one’s health.

One study that was conducted in 2019 and published in JAMA Cardiology focused on these aspects.

Researchers discovered that people who engaged in strength training for only three sessions of forty-five minutes each each week had a significant reduction in the amount of fat known as epicardial adipose tissue that surrounded their hearts.

However, the group who participated in the study and did resistance training reported a drop in pericardial adipose tissue (another form of fatty deposit) of 32%, but the group that participated in aerobic exercise saw no changes in that tissue.

Stroke risk factors

Stroke is frequently the result of years of improper management of cholesterol and blood pressure, but there are numerous other recognized causes of the condition as well.

Diabetes and atrial fibrillation are two more main illnesses that are listed by the Stroke Association as being likely to predispose individuals to having a stroke.

The health organization goes on to say that how we spend our lives has a significant bearing on the likelihood that we may suffer a stroke. It is possible to damage your blood vessels, raise your blood pressure, and increase the likelihood that your blood will clot if you engage in behaviors such as smoking, drinking an excessive amount of alcohol, being overweight, or consuming unhealthy foods.

“A modification can always be made at any time,” as the saying goes.