title: The long-term effect of exercise on vascular risk factors and aerobic fitness in those with transient ischaemic attack: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Exercise has beneficial effects on vascular risk factors in transient ischaemic attack (TIA) patients within the sub-acute phase. This study examined whether TIA patients randomized to an early exercise and education programme within 2 weeks of TIA diagnosis would demonstrate improvements in cardiovascular risk factors and aerobic fitness 12 months post-diagnosis compared with control patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A single-centre, randomized, parallel-group clinical trial. Sixty TIA patients (69 ± 11 years) completed a vascular risk stratification baseline assessment and a physical fitness examination. Individuals were randomized to either an 8-week early exercise and education group or control group. Fifty-one patients attended post-intervention assessments that were completed immediately (post-intervention) and 12 months after (12PI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significantly greater improvement in resting SBP was observed between baseline and post-intervention for EX than for CON (-11 mmHg cf. -1 mmHg, respectively; P < 0.05). The improvement in SBP was maintained between post-intervention and 12PI (P > 0.05). Similar findings were demonstrated for BMI, bodyweight and peak oxygen uptake (P < 0.05). Exercise blood pressure, pulse pressure and double product (SBP x heart rate; an indication of myocardial workload) were significantly lower at post-intervention and 12PI for EX than for CON (all P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An 8-week exercise programme soon after TIA resulted in beneficial changes in resting and exercise blood pressure that were maintained for 12 months.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  http://www.anzctr.org.au/
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ACTRN12611000630910.
authors.affiliation: aSchool of Sport & Exercise bInstitute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University cWellington Hospital, Wellington, New Zealand dYork Teaching Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, York, UK.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Faulkner
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lambrick
authors.forename: Brandon
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Woolley
authors.forename: Lee
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stoner
authors.forename: Lai-kin
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Gerard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McGonigal
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001835:Body Weight; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors