Here is the good news about walking and women!
According to a study recently published in the American Heart Association
journal Stroke, women who said
they walked briskly had a 37 percent lower risk of stroke than those who didn't
walk. Women who reported walking at least two hours a week at any pace had a 30
percent lower risk.
So what is a brisk pace? You should be walking quickly but still be able to
talk -- but not sing.
The research involved about 39,000 female health workers 45 or older
enrolled in the Women's Health Study. The women were periodically asked about
their physical activity. During 12 years of follow-up, 579 had strokes.
So get a friend and plan to do those brisk walks in the lovely spring
weather.
The American Heart Association recommends that adults do 2 1/2 hours a week
of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic activity or a
combination.