The best exercises for heart health include chair exercises and water aerobics. These help seniors stay independent and keep health conditions at bay.
According to Harvard Health, the heart beats a staggering 2.5 billion times over the average lifetime. If it stops working for even a few moments, the consequences can be catastrophic, with the body's essential functions failing rapidly.
In later life, people may develop some kind of cardiovascular disease that impairs heart function, but it's not inevitable. By lowering risk factors and incorporating the best exercises for heart health into their daily routine, seniors in Raleigh, NC, can greatly improve their heart health and general well-being.
According to the National Institute on Aging, heart disease is the leading cause of death among older adults. Seniors sometimes think heart disease is inevitable when they have significant mobility problems. The good news is that no matter your capabilities, you can take action to boost heart health.
According to the CDC, staying active in your senior years can significantly lower the risk of heart disease and stroke, while also boosting your energy levels and helping you stay independent for longer. Heart health is crucial because the risk of cardiovascular disease increases steadily with age.
Seniors are more susceptible to the following heart-based health conditions:
By keeping your heart in good shape, you can reduce the risk of hospitalization. It's not just about keeping you out of the emergency room. A healthy heart enables seniors to live an active and fulfilling lifestyle during their retirement.
Exercise doesn't just benefit the heart. It can also help seniors to maintain a healthy weight.
It can even boost brain health, which improves mental health. It can also make seniors less susceptible to depression and seasonal affective disorder.
A healthy heart is key in battling disease so you can keep doing the things you love into old age. It's never too late to benefit from getting the right kind of exercise.
While exercises like walking or jogging are among the best exercises for heart health, that doesn't mean those who struggle with such movements can't do something beneficial. While your mobility might be limited, pretty much any form of movement counts towards improving heart health and function.
For example, there are water-based aquatic workouts like water walking and water aerobics that enable you to raise your heart rate while alleviating the stress on your joints. Seniors who struggle to walk in normal circumstances often find they're much more mobile when they get into the water.
Of course, not everyone has access to a swimming pool, or some seniors might be reluctant to submerge themselves in water, so thankfully, there are plenty of other options available. Chair-based workouts are among the most accessible of all the movement possibilities because all you need is a chair.
Seniors can try things like:
These movements are easy on the body and safe for those with mobility problems, but they still improve your circulation and get your heart pumping once you get into them. These might not be the most strenuous exercises, but when you develop a consistent chair-based fitness routine, you'll start to notice an increase in stamina and strength.
You should always start slowly and consult with your doctor before beginning these exercises. If there's ever any doubt, always listen to your body.
Yes, in most cases, a weak heart can become stronger. That's because the heart is a muscle and, like your other muscles, it will adapt and strengthen with the appropriate exercise.
If you have a weak heart because of a heart attack, it doesn't mean that you're down for the count. In fact, provided you have your doctor's approval, regular physical activity is one of the best courses of action.
Of course, you can't fix everything with exercise alone. You also need to incorporate an appropriate diet, take your prescribed medications, and correctly manage medical conditions like high blood pressure. When you incorporate these with appropriate physical exercise, you can recover heart function and even improve it.
A weakened heart isn't really a lost cause, and while you might not recover its previous strength, there's usually room for improvement with the right lifestyle changes.
Senior living communities typically take a holistic approach to heart health. Nutrition is a key part of having a well-functioning heart, and these communities provide healthy meals with less salt and unhealthy fats.
In a senior community's dining room, you can expect to see residents enjoying things like:
Exercise and physical activity often require motivation and dedication to consistently see through your exercise plans, but being part of a senior community makes it so much easier. There's no need to get into your car and drive to the gym because there are plenty of fitness programs suitable for older adults, like chair yoga classes and walking clubs happening right outside your door and these exercise sessions.
The heart is one of the most essential organs in the body, and poor heart health can reduce independence and a sense of well-being. Regular exercise is one of the best ways to improve cardiovascular function, and almost any kind of movement is beneficial.
By consistently engaging in the best exercises for heart health, seniors can strengthen their cardiovascular health.
Are you looking for a senior community that supports assisted living wellness and an active senior lifestyle? Here at Morningside of Raleigh, we have varied exercise programs that ensure good heart health for all of our residents, regardless of their ability, level, or physical state.
Through our Sensations Dining Program, we offer a wide range of delicious home-cooked meals with all the nutrients and minerals seniors need for great cardiovascular health.
If you're interested in seeing how we support senior wellbeing through senior fitness and wellness, book a tour. Contact us today, and we'll set a date.