Physical activity and blood type linked to stroke and heart attack risks

New research suggests that adults may require significantly more physical activity than current guidelines recommend to substantially reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. An analysis of over 17,000 individuals conducted by researchers at Macao Polytechnic University indicates that performing approximately 560–610 minutes of moderate or intense activity per week—roughly three to four times the current 150-minute recommendation—offers the greatest cardiovascular benefits.

The study also highlighted the importance of cardiorespiratory fitness, noting that individuals with lower fitness levels may require more exercise to achieve similar health benefits. Researchers suggest that future guidelines might need to be more individualized based on a person's VO2 max and overall physical condition.

Additionally, studies published in the journal ‘Neurology’ have explored genetic links to stroke risk in adults aged 18 to 60. The analysis suggests that blood type A is associated with the highest risk of early stroke, while blood type O is associated with the lowest risk. Moderate increases in risk were observed in individuals with blood types B and AB.