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Aerobic exercise improves artery elasticity in seniors
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A new study shows that seniors with controlled type 2 diabetes improved artery elasticity in just three months as the result of aerobic exercise. The studies, led by Dr. Kenneth Madden shows that seniors can safety engage in vigorous aerobic exercise, improve artery elasticity, and reduce risk of stroke and heart disease. Dr. Madden says, "The theory is that aerobic activity makes your arteries less stiff and makes artery walls more elastic”. He also points out that the seniors studied, age 65 to 83 enjoyed the activity, saying, “People always underestimate what older adults can do." Activity is essential for seniors in order to maintain independence. Keeping the arteries from becoming stiff through aerobic exercise can keep seniors out of nursing homes.
Dr. Beth Abramson, spokesperson for the Heart and Stroke Foundation says "Almost everyone can benefit from active living. The Foundation recommends that, like adults of any age, older adults – with the consent of their physicians − need 30 to 60 minutes of moderate activity most days of the week."
Suggestions include Tai Chi, Yoga, gardening, walking, dancing and gardening. It is important for seniors to find aerobic activities that are enjoyable to maintain artery elasticity. When arteries become stiff with age, blood pressure goes up and risk for stroke and heart attack increases. Aerobic exercise can improve artery elasticity, reversing the process that can lead to chronic disease.
Dr. Madden’s study showed that aerobic exercise for seniors improved artery elasticity by 15 to 20 percent. Another recent study revealed that flexibility is also associated with improved artery elasticity and could lower heart disease risk – an important note for older adults with existing physical disabilities that might prevent the vigorous aerobic exercise.
Our arteries normally become stiffer with age, but the new study shows that older adults can improve artery elasticity by engaging in a regular routine of aerobic exercise. Perhaps the most important message from the study is that we are never too old to improve health with aerobic exercise.
Dr. Madden, a geriatric specialist at the University of British Columbia explains,” When the arteries become stiff and narrow the result is high blood pressure that in turn can lead to high blood pressure, stroke, and heart attack. Aerobic exercise, even in older adults was shown to improve artery health by making them more elastic and relaxed.”
Speak with your doctor first, and consider joining a local senior center to start an aerobic exercise routine that can help maintain artery elasticity and lead to long term health benefits, shown by the study. It is important to learn how to perform aerobic exercise safely. The findings show that seniors can and should engage in aerobic activity, shown to improve artery elasticity.
Check out the possibilities - exercise fun for seniors!
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