Exercise for the Aging Heart
Arteriosclerosis is the underlying cause of most cardiovascular diseases. It causes the heart to work harder to push blood through the narrowed vessels. High blood pressure then develops because of the greater pumping force.
Regular exercise, began at any age, under the guidance of a physician, can reduce age-related stiffening of the arteries. Aerobic exercise (exercise that improves the body's use of oxygen) can improve the performance of the heart and arteries.
Exercise for an 80-year-old parent may mean a lap around the mall with their caregiver (and people-watching as their caregiver attends to their own well-being with another couple laps). For a 90-year-old, it may mean a daily trip down the driveway to the mailbox.
Even in the absence of weight loss, exercise may help lower blood pressure and the risk of diabetes, improving overall health of the individual and the heart.
In our everyday world, where high fat, high sodium, processed and convenience food is readily available and often preferred, and prescription drugs are marketing to the general public, perhaps not enough emphasizes is given to trying to improve lifestyle. Work to take steps to manage the risk of heart disease. Regular check-ups are necessary. Commit to lifestyle changes suggested by the healthcare provider.
These types of proactive steps can help prevent heart disease as the heart ages.
However, age does things over time that not even lifestyle changes and improvement can correct or effect. Through intentional changes, we do modify what the natural course will be. There's no getting around the fact that lifestyle decisions – exercise, diet, smoking – will either compound – or complement – the aging process.