Diverse women engaging in various moderate exercises against a vibrant heart backdrop.

Move to Live: How Staying Active Can Slash Your Stroke Risk

Soraya Malik in Health & Wellness June 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research reveals the powerful link between consistent physical activity and a reduced risk of stroke in women, offering a clear path to better health."

In today's fast-paced world, maintaining a healthy lifestyle often takes a backseat. However, new research highlights the critical role of regular physical activity in reducing the risk of stroke, particularly for women. A study from the California Teachers Study (CTS) reveals that consistent moderate exercise can significantly lower stroke risk, offering a beacon of hope for those seeking to improve their cardiovascular health.

Stroke, a leading cause of disability and death, affects millions worldwide. Understanding how to mitigate risk factors is crucial, and this latest study provides compelling evidence for the benefits of regular physical activity. By examining the exercise habits of thousands of women over a decade, researchers have uncovered valuable insights into the connection between movement and stroke prevention.

This article breaks down the key findings of the CTS study, offering practical advice and actionable steps to help you incorporate more physical activity into your daily routine. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just starting your fitness journey, there's something here for everyone seeking to safeguard their health and well-being.

The Power of Consistent Activity: Key Findings from the CTS Study

Diverse women engaging in various moderate exercises against a vibrant heart backdrop.

The California Teachers Study tracked over 61,000 women, examining their leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) at two points, ten years apart. The study categorized LTPA based on American Heart Association (AHA) recommendations: at least 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of strenuous activity per week. Researchers then analyzed the association between changes in LTPA and the risk of incident stroke.

The results were striking: women who consistently met AHA recommendations for moderate activity at both time points had a significantly lower risk of stroke. Specifically, meeting these guidelines was associated with an adjusted hazard ratio of 0.84, indicating a 16% reduction in overall stroke risk. This protective effect was even more pronounced for ischemic strokes, the most common type of stroke, with a hazard ratio of 0.70, representing a 30% risk reduction.

Key findings from the study include:

Consistent moderate activity reduces overall stroke risk by 16%.
Ischemic stroke risk decreases by 30% with regular moderate exercise.
Meeting AHA recommendations at both baseline and follow-up provides the most protection.
Even starting moderate activity later in life can offer significant benefits.

Interestingly, the study also revealed that women who met AHA recommendations at the beginning of the study but became less active over the decade did not experience the same reduced stroke risk. This underscores the importance of maintaining consistent physical activity throughout life to reap its protective benefits. It suggests that recent activity is more critical than past activity.

Take Action: Simple Steps to a More Active Life

The CTS study delivers a clear message: incorporating regular moderate physical activity into your life is a powerful way to reduce your risk of stroke. Whether it's a brisk daily walk, a fun dance class, or a relaxing bike ride, finding activities you enjoy is key to making exercise a sustainable part of your routine. Remember, it's never too late to start moving towards a healthier, stroke-free future. So, lace up those sneakers and take the first step today!

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1161/strokeaha.117.017465, Alternate LINK

Title: Trajectories In Leisure-Time Physical Activity And Risk Of Stroke In Women In The California Teachers Study

Subject: Advanced and Specialized Nursing

Journal: Stroke

Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)

Authors: Joshua Z. Willey, Jenna Voutsinas, Ayesha Sherzai, Huiyan Ma, Leslie Bernstein, Mitchell S.V. Elkind, Ying K. Cheung, Sophia S. Wang

Published: 2017-09-01

Everything You Need To Know

How does consistent physical activity, as revealed in the California Teachers Study, affect a woman's risk of stroke?

The California Teachers Study (CTS) tracked over 61,000 women and found that consistent adherence to American Heart Association (AHA) recommendations for leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), which is at least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of strenuous activity per week, significantly reduces stroke risk. Specifically, it showed a 16% reduction in overall stroke risk and a 30% reduction in ischemic stroke risk.

Why does maintaining consistent physical activity matter for stroke risk reduction, based on the California Teachers Study findings?

The California Teachers Study (CTS) demonstrated that consistent moderate physical activity, aligning with American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines for leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), is key to reducing stroke risk. Women who were consistently active at both baseline and follow-up had the greatest risk reduction, emphasizing that maintaining an active lifestyle over time is more effective than being active at only one point in time.

What specific types of strokes are most impacted by regular physical activity, according to the California Teachers Study?

The California Teachers Study (CTS) distinguished between overall stroke risk and ischemic stroke risk. While consistent moderate leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) reduced overall stroke risk by 16%, the impact was even greater for ischemic strokes, the most common type, with a 30% risk reduction. This suggests that physical activity has a particularly protective effect against ischemic strokes.

How does the California Teachers Study define and categorize physical activity in relation to American Heart Association guidelines?

The CTS study categorizes physical activity based on American Heart Association (AHA) recommendations for leisure-time physical activity (LTPA). This involves meeting at least 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of strenuous activity per week. The study emphasizes that consistency in meeting these guidelines is crucial for sustained stroke risk reduction.

How does changing activity levels over time influence stroke risk, according to the longitudinal design of the California Teachers Study?

The CTS study followed women over a decade, examining changes in leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and its relationship to stroke risk. The study found that maintaining consistent moderate activity, as defined by the American Heart Association (AHA), is critical. Women who met AHA recommendations at the study's start but became less active over time did not experience the same reduced stroke risk, indicating that recent and consistent activity is more impactful than past activity.