Back to Newsletter Article You + Sneakers = Better Health
Have you heard about the link between sneakers and better health? It’s true. Women who lace up their sneakers and walk briskly every day have a 37 percent lower risk of stroke than those who don't walk, according to a new study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health and published in the journal Stroke.

May is National Stroke Awareness Month. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in America and a leading cause of adult disability. Think of a stroke as a "brain attack," says the National Stroke Association. It occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery or when a blood vessel breaks, interrupting blood flow to an area of the brain. When either of these things happens, brain cells begin to die and brain damage occurs.

Up to 80% of strokes are preventable. A healthy lifestyle can reduce the risks. Besides daily exercise, watch what you eat (avoid a lot of fat, especially the kind that's in cookies and pastries), don't smoke, lose weight, lower cholesterol, and lower your blood pressure. All of these are controllable risk factors.

Heredity, though, can't be controlled. Uncontrollable risk factors include being over age 55, being male, being African American, Hispanic or Asian/Pacific Islander, or having a family history of stroke.

Use this "scorecard" to assess your risk for stroke. For better nutrition, check out this list of healthy, high-in-fiber foods. They make you feel full, so you'll eat less.