Moderate-to-heavy fitness training such as jogging, tennis or using an indoor rowing machine can protect men from strokes, according to a recent study.

The research published in the journal Neurology found that light exercises do not have the same effect on men but no form of exercise was found to reduce the stroke risk of women.

Joanne Murphy, research liaison officer for The Stroke Association, said that just 30 minutes of activity five days a week was enough to help reduce the risk of stroke.

"It's important people choose activities that they are going to enjoy, so that they keep them up," Ms Murphy explained. "It's important that the exercise you choose increases your heart rate."

"Even small changes to our lifestyle such as an improved diet, drinking alcohol in moderation, not smoking and being active can reduce your risk of stroke," she added.

The Act F.A.S.T awareness campaign launched by the Department of Health in February has resulted in a 55.5 per cent increase of possible stroke calls to 999.