Tuesday, June 27, 2023, 02:00
8221 readings
Intense physical exercise can lead to stroke PHOTO: Conversation
A team of scientists from the Kharagpur Institute of Medical Science and Technology, who conducted a painstaking study published in the June 2023 issue of the journal Physics of Fluids, made a health-worrying discovery. Experts have found that millions of people are at risk of stroke due to vigorous exercise.
The recent study suggests that about 16.5 million Americans may be at increased risk of stroke due to vigorous exercise, according to Earth.
Individuals at risk are those living with a condition known as carotid artery stenosis, which affects about five percent of the adult population in United States.
A daily habit of all people causes a lot of harm: Increases body fat and destroys bones
Carotid artery stenosis is a disease characterized by the buildup of plaque in the carotid arteries, the crucial blood vessels that run through the neck and are tasked with delivering essential oxygen and nutrients to the brain and parts of the face.
Alarmingly, regular physical activities such as brisk walking, swimming or high-energy exercise could pose a significant threat to these individuals. According to researchers, vigorous exercise can dislodge plaque from major arteries, which then reaches the brain and obstructs a blood vessel, leading to stroke and possibly premature death.
Five percent of Americans are at risk. The prevalence of carotid artery stenosis has increased dramatically over the past two decades. Data from the early 2000s suggested that approximately two million Americans suffered from the condition. However, recent figures from the Cleveland Clinic indicate that the number has risen to about 16.5 million, which is about five percent of all adults in the country.
The study showed that exercise was beneficial for the health of carotid arteries that were either healthy or mildly blocked. However, for those with severe blockage, the results were characterized as “alarming”.
The simulation demonstrated increased stress on the severely blocked area, increasing the risk of rupture and subsequent dislocation of the plaque into the bloodstream. This dislodged plaque could then travel to the brain, obstruct a blood vessel and trigger a stroke.
“Intense exercise shows adverse effects in patients with moderate or higher levels of stenosis,” explained Dr. Somnath Roy of India and lead author of the study.
The researchers made it clear that although vigorous exercise can improve cardiac performance in healthy people, it could have serious consequences for patients with significant arterial blockages, especially at elevated heart rates due to extensive physical activities.
2023-06-26 23:01:09
#human #activity #dangerous #Millions #people #risk #stroke
