Exercise just as good as heart pills, better than stroke medicine

(http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-24335710) A metaepidemiological study published in the British Medical Journal on October 1, 2013, shows that exercise can be just as good as medication for heart disease and better than stroke medicine.

The study analyzed hundreds of trials involving nearly 340,000 patients to find research comparing exercise with pills. The researchers found 305 trials regarding managing conditions such as heart disease, stroke rehabilitation and pre-diabetes. After studying all the relevant data, they found that death rates in those who took such drugs were comparable to death rates in those who exercise.

The researchers found that diuretics seemed to work best for heart failure patients, but stroke patients can get the most life-extending benefit from exercise.

"By taking important steps, such as regular exercise, eating a balanced diet and stopping smoking, people can significantly reduce their risk of stroke," Dr. Peter Coleman of the Stroke Association said.