1. The preventive effects of exercise and L-arginine intake on hypertension and thrombosis in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) were studied. 2. Stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats were divided into three groups: (i) the control, sedentary group; (ii) the exercise group, which was allowed to run voluntarily on running wheels; and (iii) the L-arginine intake group, which was given 2.25% L-arginine solution for 8 weeks from 4 to 12 weeks of age. In the control group, one rat died from stroke and symptoms of stroke were observed in the remaining animals. Similar symptoms were recorded in one rat of the exercise group, but not in the L-arginine group. 3. Blood pressure increased in the control group and this increase was suppressed significantly in the exercise and L-arginine groups. Thrombotic potential in cerebral vessels was the lowest at 4 weeks in all groups and was increased significantly at 12 weeks in the control group, but not in the exercise and L-arginine groups. Plasma concentrations of NO2/NO3 were lower in all animals at 12 weeks compared with those at 4 weeks. This reduction was significantly less marked in the L-arginine group. Cerebral arterioles in control rats at 12 weeks of age were significantly smaller in diameter than those at 4 weeks and these changes were less pronounced in the exercise and L-arginine groups. 4. The results provide clear evidence for the beneficial effects of L-arginine intake and voluntary exercise in mechanisms related to hypertension, thrombosis and stroke.