Older adults with Type 2 diabetes can reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke with three months of aerobic exercises because exercise makes arteries more elastic, says a geriatric specialist at the University of British Columbia.
"The theory is that aerobic activity makes your arteries less stiff and makes artery walls more elastic," Dr. Kenneth Madden said.
Madden studied adults between 65 and 83 who had Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol and were classified as sedentary at the beginning of the study. They were divided into two groups. One group had three months of energetic physical activity consisting of one hour three times per week. The other group got no aerobic exercise at all.
After three months, the differences between the group that exercised and the non-active group were significant.
"There was an impressive drop in arterial stiffness after just three months of exercise. In that time we saw a 15 to 20 per cent reduction," Madden said.
Beth Abramson, spokeswoman for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, stresses the importance of lifestyle factors on heart health, especially with our aging population.
"Almost everyone can benefit from active living," she said. "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."
Many seniors need help getting started on an exercise program, Madden said.
"We need to learn how to do it effectively and how to do it safely," he said. "It could mean visiting your family doctor to find out about provincially funded programs, or joining programs for seniors that are offered at many local community centers."
And fears that question the safety of exercise for seniors are unwarranted, he said, adding, "People always underestimate what older adults can do."
Abramson suggested that seniors choose activities they enjoy, such as walking, golfing, dancing, or tai chi.
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