Cerebral Small Vessel Disease Burden in Acute Ischemic Stroke and the Role of Physical Activity: Cross-Sectional Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) is a major cause of stroke and cognitive decline. While classical cardiovascular risk factors are well-established contributors to overall cSVD burden, the effect of physical activity (PA) is not fully understood. This study aims to investigate the association between PA and cSVD in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

Methods

This is a post hoc analysis of data from two randomized stroke trials. cSVD burden was quantified on acute admission magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) markers (microbleeds, lacunes, white matter hyperintensities, and atrophy) with scores ranging 0-4. Pre-stroke PA was assessed by admission questionnaire and categorized into quartiles (first quartile is lowest PA level). Association of PA and cSVD bur

SUBMITTER: Damsbo AG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12813408 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature