Islamabad (Pakistan Point News / Online - 14th October, 2019) It is well-known that exercise is good for cardiac health, but older adults tend to fall through the cracks when it comes to rehabilitation programs. Now, a study has shown that these individuals have the most to gain.Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, being responsible for 1 in 4 deaths. Every year, approximately 610,000 people in the U.
S. die of heart disease, while about 735,000 people have a heart attack.Adults over the age of 65 years are more likely than younger people to have heart disease because the heart changes with age. Heart disease is a significant cause of disability, according to the National Institute on Aging, who note that it affects the ability of millions of older people to be active and have a good quality of life.Now, a new study has confirmed the benefits of exercise for both physical ability and mental health, regardless of a person's age.
Why exercise benefits older adultsRegular exercise can slow the heart, lower blood pressure, ease stress, boost morale, and improve oxygen efficiency, as well as helping a person lose excess body weight, which can strain the heart. It can promote a quicker recovery and sometimes even reduce the need for medication.The researchers sum it up by saying: "Aging is associated with several factors, such as increased inflammation or oxidative stress, [which] predispose people to cardiovascular diseases.
As a result, elderly patients are usually less fit than their younger counterparts, and deconditioning is accelerated once cardiovascular disease is established."Some people benefited moreThis study set out to compare the responses of young and older people to a cardiac rehabilitation program. What sets this research apart from other studies is its focus on both the physical and psychological benefits of exercise on those over the age of 65 years.
Researchers at the Faculty of sports Sciences at the University of Burgundy Franche-Comt� in Dijon, France, examined 733 people who had received a referral to a 25 session cardiac rehab program at the Clinique Le Rosiers in Dijon over a period of nearly 3 years.The team divided the participants into three groups according to their age: under 65 years, 65 to 79 years, and 80 years or older. They evaluated all of the participants, both physically and psychologically, for issues such as anxiety and depression.Exercise also proved particularly beneficial for those over the age of 65 years who were experiencing symptoms of depression.
