부산대학교 도서관

Background:Stroke is a concern for women of reproductive age, as pregnant women have an increased risk of stroke. Primary prevention is critical to reducing this burden among this group. High physical activity levels (compared to low physical activity levels) can decrease stroke risks in adults, though this is not well-researched among women of reproductive age.Methods:Using NHANES 2013-2017 data, we examined the impact of physical activity on self-reported stroke and risk factors for stroke among overweight and obese women of reproductive age (20-44) using logistic regression models. Covariates include age, race, and smoking status. Risk factors examined were stroke history, hypertension, elevated total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood glucose levels.Results:Logistic regression models showed that getting at least 150 minutes of exercise per week reduced the odds of having elevated glucose levels by 58% (aOR=0.425, 95% CI=0.19-0.95). While physical activity did not show any significant differences in the other stroke risk factors, there was a trend toward a lower percentage of women having hypertension and elevated triglycerides if they were physically active. Further, compared to white women, Black women had nearly two times higher odds of having hypertension (aOR=1.97, 95%CI 1.41-2.76).Conclusions:Previous studies show that increasing physical activity can lower stroke risk, including lowering blood pressure and insulin levels. While our results show lower blood glucose among physically active overweight or obese women of reproductive age, a similar effect was not seen for hypertension. In this population, hypertension may result in adverse maternal outcomes such as pre-eclampsia, eclampsia or stroke during pregnancy, should a woman become pregnant. This demonstrates the importance of managing stroke-related risk factors during a woman’s reproductive years.