Researcher,
Hospital study potential Rehab Option
following 'Mini Stroke'
Newswise — Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIA)
are often called "mini strokes" for good
reasons -- the short-term symptoms can mimic
a stroke and up to 10 percent of first-time
sufferers often experience full-blown
strokes within as little as 90 days. Despite
the well-known statistics, no post-TIA
regimen exists to help prevent future
strokes -- but this might be changing.
Indiana University researcher Marieke Van
Puymbroeck on Wednesday (Feb. 24) discussed
preliminary—and promising -- findings that a
modified version of cardiac rehabilitation
was effective at addressing some of the risk
factors for stroke in just six weeks. The
most common risk factors for stroke --
hypertension, physical inactivity, elevated
lipids and diabetes -- also are leading risk
factors for heart disease.
Van
Puymbroeck, one of four researchers
discussing TIA-related research during a
press conference at the American Stroke
Association's International Stroke
Conference 2010, is teaming up with
Bloomington Hospital, in Bloomington, Ind.,
to look for a possible post-TIA treatment.
She
said more research and treatment options are
needed to help people who experience a TIA
reduce their risk for stroke, which can be
debilitating and deadly.
"This
is a health issue but it's also a policy
issue," said Van Puymbroeck, an assistant
professor in IU's School of Health, Physical
Education and Recreation. "There needs to be
greater access to rehabilitation after TIA
in order to prevent future strokes."
Van
Puymbroeck's study is following 14
first-time TIA sufferers who agreed to
participate in a modified version of the
second phase of cardiac rehabilitation,
which is a well-established program
nationwide. This second phase generally is
conducted at a hospital on an out-patient
basis and involves monitored aerobic
exercise, resistance training and health
education.
The
participants saw improvements in blood
pressure and physical function.
"High
blood pressure is the number one risk factor
for stroke, so to see such a large reduction
in the six-week period is really exciting,"
Van Puymbroeck said. "We didn't track
medication change, which could account for
this, so we also need to be cautious."
Here
are some of the findings:
*
Systolic blood pressure was reduced by 8.71
millimeters of Mercury (mm Hg ) and
diastolic blood pressure reduced by 7.18 mm
Hg. Other research has found that a change
in systolic blood pressure of 5 mm Hg leads
to a 14 percent decrease in stroke risk
while a 5 mm Hg reduction in diastolic blood
pressure leads to a 42 percent reduction in
stroke risk.
*
Gait speed and endurance improved
significantly. This can be associated with
increased community function and physical
activity, which could lead to improved
health in general.
The
study participants, ages 44 to 85, began the
program within a month of their TIA,
participating in 1.5-hour sessions three
times a week for six weeks. Van Puymbroeck
said the American Heart Association and
American College of Sports Medicine both
encourage aerobic activity all or most days
of the week, working up to 60 minutes per
day, as well as strength training for
individuals who have high blood pressure or
have had a stroke. She recommends that
people get tested by their physician before
starting any exercise program.
She said the
study will check in on the study
participants six months and one year after
they began their rehabilitation.
The
study was jointly funded by the School of
HPER's Leisure Research Institute and the
Bloomington Hospital Foundation.
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