Recovering from a stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a long road. For many, the biggest hurdle is regaining the physical strength needed for daily life. New data suggests that heart-focused exercise programs can help patients improve their aerobic capacity, which is the body's ability to use oxygen during physical activity.
Researchers looked at data from 490 people who had experienced a stroke or TIA. They found that those who participated in cardiac rehabilitation saw significant improvements. Specifically, their aerobic capacity increased, and their systolic blood pressure—the top number in a blood pressure reading—dropped. Patients also reported better diets and more physical activity.
While these results are promising, it is important to note that the evidence is currently limited. The quality of the studies used to reach these conclusions was low to moderate, meaning more high-quality research is needed to confirm these findings. However, the data shows that these programs can be a helpful tool for recovery.
