Heart disease and the prevention at the third age

A good life style represents the best prevention of heart disease.

Heart disease is one of the most common cause of death, together with cancer, stroke and dementia and it gets more common with increasing age.

The main heart problems are: coronary heart disease, an irregular heart beat and heart failure.

Illness and death from heart disease can be prevented because they are associated with risk factors that are preventable.

The main risk factors are:

An unbalanced diet
smoking
High blood pressure
Alcohol misuse
and lack of physical activity.

The best way to prevent heart disease is by following a wholesome life style.

Elderly people should keep weight under control, follow an healthy diet and avoid saturated fats.

A well-balanced diet of an elderly person should include lot of fruit, vegetables, food rich in starch and in fibre.

Food rich in starch are: potatoes, bread, rice and pasta.

Elderly people should also drink a lot of fluids, such as tea, fruit juice and milky drinks.
Vitamin D is very important to keep bones healthy and it can be found in oily fish like sardines, tuna or salmon.

Vitamin D can also be found in breakfast cereals that should be included in the diet.

Human skin also produces this vitamin when exposed to sunlight.

Moreover elderly people should take regular physical exercise.

In fact regular exercise is good at any age, but it is particularly useful at the third age.

It helps to protect elderly people against heart disease, osteoporosis and many other chronic conditions.

Regular physical exercise maintains mobility and prolongs independence.

Gardening, bowls, dancing, cycling and walking are all excellent forms of exercise.

Swimming is particularly good if a person is overweight because the body is supported in the water.

To conclude, a balanced diet, regular physical exercise, drinking alcohol in moderation and giving up smoking ensure more health and happiness at the third age.

torna all’indice della tesina L’inserimento dell’anziano nella famiglia d’oggi tesina esame di stato 2003 – dirigente di comunità – di Maria Paola Viale