Good news for those who in old age continue to maintain a good physical shape.

A recent study found that such people are much less likely to suffer from heart failure.

"Elderly people who make even the most simple changes in their lifestyle can reduce the risk of heart failure. To do this, it is enough not to smoke and, most importantly, constantly engage in physical education, at least moderately, "- says Dr. Liana Del Gobbo from the Friedman School of Nutrition in Boston, USA.

Scientists once again remind that heart failure is a very common disease in the elderly, which leads to severe consequences. Del Gobbo says that after a 55-year limit, the risk of heart failure is 30-35%. According to the researcher, in the United States this is the leading cause of hospitalizations for Medicare insurance (insurance for pensioners).

About heart failure is said then, when the pumping function of the heart becomes insufficient to meet the needs of the body. Heart failure can cause excessive accumulation of fluid in the tissues (edema). Such patients quickly become tired, they have shortness of breath, cough, metabolism is disturbed. In the worst cases, heart failure requires heart transplantation.

The authors of the study decided to better understand the risk factors for heart failure. For this purpose, the team of Dr. del Gobbo for 22 years observed a group of 4,400 elderly people (age over 65, 61% women, 89% white). All participants were included in the project in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

During the study period, there were 1380 cases of heart failure. When the researchers introduced all relevant factors into the analysis, they were surprised to find that the diet did not affect the risk of heart failure. What can not be said about physical activity.

Participants who moved faster (more than 3 miles per hour versus an average of 2 miles per hour) had a 26% lower risk of developing heart failure in the future. And the most vigorous pensioners, who habitually walked at a speed of more than 4 miles per hour, became victims of this disease 45% less frequently than others.

Did the healthiest participants differ in anything else? At least, not by crystal sobriety. Del Gobbo notes that people with the least risk of heart failure usually drink moderately: more than 1 drink per week, but not more than 1-2 alcoholic drinks per day. In addition, such people consumed a minimum amount of salt.

"Why are these results so important? Diet is considered a serious factor in the development of coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases. It turned out that heart failure depends on several other factors, "says the researcher.

Elderly people (and not only them) should learn from this study one simple thing: moderate, feasible physical activity is the key to maintaining the health of the cardiovascular system at any age. To save your heart, you do not have to go to the gym on an equal basis with young people:

just walk on foot, work in the garden, actively rest with your grandchildren. In short, do not sit.

Dr. David Maron, an expert in preventive cardiology from the Stanford School of Medicine in Palo Alto, says: "We recommend adults at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity daily. A healthy lifestyle is needed not only in old age. If you pay attention to your body from a young age, then you are likely to be able to meet a healthy old age ".

medbe. en.