“Better late than never” applies to them in the case of physical exercise elderly people, as -according to a new Italian scientific study- 20 minutes a day is enough to prevent serious heart problems such as heart failure after 80.
Research shows that, albeit belatedly, the physical activity has a benefit and the earlier an older person starts it the better for him.
The researchers, led by Dr. Claudio Barbellini Amidei of the University of Padua, who published the study in the British Heart Journal, studied 3,099 men and women over the age of 65. Women had more than four years of problems such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and chronic kidney disease, while diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were more common in men.
The study analyzed the participants’ medical history, periodic blood tests and questionnaires related to moderate to vigorous physical activity (walking, running, fishing, gardening, gym, cycling, dancing, swimming, etc.). Men had – on average – more mobility than women. During the multiannual study, 1,037 people were diagnosed with cardiovascular problems such as coronary heart disease, heart failure and stroke.
The more physically active a man was after 65 the lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and death, which was true for both sexes. The largest reduction in risk was for the new diagnoses of coronary heart disease and heart failure in old age (after 80 years), while on the other hand no significant correlation was observed between physical activity and in the stroke.
Older men with consistently high physical activity had – on average – a 52% lower risk of cardiovascular disease than those with less activity, while for women the benefit was slightly lower. The biggest benefits seemed to exist for the 70-somethings, while after 75 the risk reduction was now small. The greatest benefit – that is, the greater protection of the heart – was for those who did 20 to 40 minutes of daily physical activity with moderate to high intensity.
Scientists have pointed out that physical exercise and activity in general helps blood flow in the arteries and reduces the possibility of clot formation, slowing down the process of atherosclerosis through better control of blood pressure, blood sugar and lipid “profile” (cholesterol and triglycerides).
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