Study Says Five Healthy Habits Cut Heart Risk in Half

Seniors who follow five simple healthy behaviors could cut their risk of heart failure in half, according to a large, multi-year study recently published in JACC: Heart Failure.

Adults who walked briskly, were moderately active in their leisure time, drank moderately, didn't smoke and avoided obesity had half the risk of heart failure as adults who did not optimize these modifiable risk factors, according to this study that followed nearly 4,500 adults for two decades. 

 

Heart failure, a condition where the heart fails to pump as much blood as the body needs, is reportedly increasing in frequency in the United States and a leading cause of hospitalization for people over age 65.

Liana C. Del Gobbo, Ph.D., from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, led this study’s team of researchers who followed 4,490 men and women age 65 and older who didn't initially have signs of heart failure for up to 21.5 years. 

Researchers tracked their diet, walking habits, leisure activity, exercise intensity, alcohol use, smoking status, weight, height, waist circumference and heart health through questionnaires and physical exams throughout the study period. During the study, 1,380 heart failure cases occurred.

Researchers found that adults who walked at a pace of at least 2 miles per hour had a lower risk of developing heart failure. Reduced rates of heart failure were also associated with participating in leisure activities that burned more than 845 or more calories a week, not smoking, modest alcohol intake (not more than 1-2 drinks/day), and avoiding obesity. 

To learn more about the research, visit http://www.acc.org/about-acc/press-releases/2015/07/06/14/17/lifestyle-factors-associated-with-less-heart-failure-after-65?w_nav=TI.  

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Sizzling Temps Can Pose Threats to Seniors

Summer weather can pose special health risks to older adults and people with chronic medical conditions. It is critically important that the elderly, especially those most susceptible to hyperthermia and other heat-related conditions, know how to safeguard against these threats. 

Hyperthermia is elevated body temperature caused by a failure of the body’s heat-regulating mechanisms. Forms of hyperthermia include heat fatigue, heat syncope (sudden dizziness after prolonged exposure to the heat), heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Older adults can be at risk for experiencing these conditions, and this risk can increase with the combination of outside temperature, individual lifestyle and general health, according to the National Institute on Aging (NIA).

Some lifestyle factors that could increase this risk include not drinking enough fluids, living in housing without air conditioning, lack of mobility and access to transportation, overdressing, visiting overcrowded places and not understanding how to respond to hot weather conditions. 

Older people, especially those with chronic medical conditions and when an air pollution alert is in effect, should stay indoors in cooler spaces on hot and humid days. People without air conditioners should go to places that do have air conditioning (e.g., senior centers, shopping malls, movie theaters, libraries). 

For a free copy of the NIA’s AgePage Series on hyperthermia (in English or Spanish), contact the NIA Information Center at 1-800-222-2225 or go to www.nia.nih.gov/health/publication/hyperthermia.