Tobacco smoking, lack of exercise, unhealthy diet, and excessive alcohol consumption are the main risk factors of Cardiovascular Disease.

These risk factors may also contribute to other noncommunicable diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases.

It has been estimated that about 30% of deaths from Cardiovascular Disease could have been prevented each year if patients followed a brisk walking programme on most days of the week.

Raised blood pressure
Raised blood pressure, which is a risk factor for heart attack and stroke, can also be controlled by exercise.

Stroke
Exercise reduces the risk of stroke. A recent study showed that walking at around 5km/h for an hour a day, five days a week, can reduce the risk of a stroke by 46 percent, compared with non-exercisers.

Structured exercise also brings improvement in all measures of impairment and disability in people who have had a stroke.

Speak to your physiotherapist about the best exercise programme for you.