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Walk off your risk of stroke

By | April 7, 2010, 9:05 AM PDT

Stroke is the third-leading cause of death in the U.S.

And some years ago my wife accidentally cut her risk of dieing this way by one-third. (Here she is last month, taking a long walk to the end of a short pier.)

How? Well, her company moved. The new office is about a kilometer from the nearest train station. Her company made some efforts to get her a bus, but they eventually gave up.

Thank goodness.

Because it turns out that 15-minute walk, done 10 times a week at a steady pace, along with the steps she climbs along the way, is helping extend her life.

Harvard researchers looked at the behavior of over 39,000 women participating in the  Womens Health Study over 12 years. Those who walked just two hours per week at a “brisk rate” — meaning you can talk but not sing — dropped their risk of stroke by 37%.

I took a brisk walk myself before coming to my desk this morning, and I can say it conveys many other benefits. I was able to let go of my worries, enjoy the spring scenery, and get right to work rather than waiting for my coffee maker to get me started.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood recently caused a stir by suggesting walking and bicycling should be part of the country’s transportation planning. What’s clear from this study is they should also be part of our health planning.

The National Association of Manufacturers called it a job killer. Maybe, but not having sidewalks (as is true on part of my wife’s route to work, still) can be a Jenni killer.

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Dana Blankenhorn

About Dana Blankenhorn

Dana Blankenhorn was a contributing editor for SmartPlanet from 2009 to 2010.

Dana Blankenhorn

Dana Blankenhorn

Contributing Editor, Healthcare

Dana Blankenhorn has written for the Chicago Tribune, Advertising Age's "NetMarketing" supplement and founded the Interactive Age Daily for CMP Media. He holds degrees from Rice and Northwestern universities. He is based in Atlanta.

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Dana Blankenhorn

Dana Blankenhorn

Dana Blankenhorn has been a technology reporter since 1982, a business reporter since 1978, and a writer for as long as he can remember. His Schwab IRA has a few tech stocks in it, most notably some Intel and Applied Materials bought over 10 years ago. But the vast majority of his tiny fortune (emphasis on the word tiny) is invested in mutual funds. He presently writes for no one else but ZDNet, SmartPlanet and himself. But if you've got an opportunity let him know. If he takes the gig he"ll first add it to this disclosure page.

He writes for SmartPlanet and is not an employee of CBS.

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RE: Walk off your risk of stroke
The charming Mr.Blankenhorn appears to have chosen not to respond to the comments on his previous blog entry regarding his stealing of intellectual property. Check out the issue here:
http://drawger.com/buzelli/?article_id=10164#comments
Posted by zelee
7th Apr 2010
0 Votes
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Actually, I did
You can see a full article on protecting online images at Thinking
Tech. Posted just recently. Had to do some research and double-check
some things. Hope it helps.
Posted by DanaBlankenhorn
7th Apr 2010
0 Votes
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actually, you didn't
how brave of you to post it to those commenting on your previous entry. oh wait.
Posted by zelee
7th Apr 2010
0 Votes
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Last irrelevant comment
I am awaiting clearance to make some changes to the original article as
well. Thankd for your patience.
Posted by DanaBlankenhorn
7th Apr 2010
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RE: Walk off your risk of stroke
how about you leave a relevant comment where it's due while you wait for "clearance"?
Posted by zelee
7th Apr 2010
0 Votes
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Veiw on illustrations for free please?
Have you changed your views on your right to use an illustrators work without compensating the artist?

What size should an illustration be if its OK to take without compensation?
Posted by fungusmungus
9th Apr 2010
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