Cardiorespiratory Fitness after Transient Ischemic Attack and Minor Ischemic Stroke: Baseline Data of the MoveIT Study.

Background: Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is reduced in patients with stroke. It is unclear whether it is also reduced in patients with a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke. We investigated the CRF in patients with a recent TIA or minor stroke and explored which determinants are associated with a lower fitness.

Methods: In 113 patients with a recent TIA or minor ischemic stroke (64 (SD = 10) years of age; 49 (IQR 27-86) days post TIA or stroke), the peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) was determined in a symptom-limited ramp exercise test. Physical activity level, vascular risk factors, history of vascular or pulmonary disease, and stroke characteristics were recorded at inclusion and related to the VO2peak.

Results: Mean VO2peak was 22 mL/kg/min (SD = 6), which is the fifth percentile of age- and sex-related normative values. Increasing age and female sex were associated with a lower VO2peak (B (95% CI): per 10 years -2.57 mL/kg/min (-3.75; -1.40) and female sex -5.84 mL/kg/min (-8.06; -3.62)). Age- and sex-adjusted linear regression analyses showed that a history of cardiovascular disease and pulmonary disease was associated with a lower VO2peak. In addition, a lower level of physical activity, hypertension, smoking, and overweight were associated with a lower VO2peak. History of stroke and stroke characteristics were not related to VO2peak.

Conclusion: The majority of patients with a recent TIA or minor ischemic stroke have a poor CRF. Our findings suggest that premorbid cardiovascular and pulmonary disease and vascular risk factors, but not TIA- or stroke-related factors, contribute to a reduced CRF.