Exercise May Help Prevent ‘Silent’ Strokes

Moderate to intense exercise may help to protect older adults from so-called silent strokes, a new study suggests. This type of stroke is too mild to produce symptoms. But the effects can be seen on a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Silent strokes increase the risk of regular strokes and dementia. The new study included 1,238 older adults. They answered questions about their exercise habits. Six years later, they were given MRI scans of the brain. At this time, their average age was 70. About 43% said they got no regular exercise. About 36% did regular light exercise. Examples included golf, walking and bowling. Only 21% did regular moderate to intense exercise. This included hiking, tennis, swimming, biking and jogging. MRIs showed that 16% of the people had a past silent stroke. But this was 40% less likely in people who did regular moderate or intense exercise.