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NPR - Exercise Wins: Fit Seniors Can Have Hearts That Look 30 Years Younger

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NPR - Exercise Wins: Fit Seniors Can Have Hearts That Look 30 Years Younger

Old 12-10-18, 06:41 PM
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Shimagnolo
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NPR - Exercise Wins: Fit Seniors Can Have Hearts That Look 30 Years Younger

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-...-years-younger
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Old 12-10-18, 08:01 PM
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I saw this article from a different source a week or so ago. I’m only 48, but it is very motivating/encouraging to me. Not only does the exercise we enjoy give us the immediate benefits of weight control, more energy, sleeping better etc., It would appear we also get significant long term benefits in improved quality of life as we age. Sounds good to me!!
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Old 12-11-18, 09:48 AM
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I get an annual checkup with my doc. Last year, at 56 years old, he again commented to me "on paper you look like a 30 year old."

Dan
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Old 12-11-18, 07:15 PM
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From another thread....

Originally Posted by mr_bill
Sometimes curse and sometimes blessing, BIDMC as well as so much of Longwood Medical is close to Fenway Park.

So yesterday I “walked” from Harvard Square to BIDMC in the morning, then was asked if could do an afternoon ad hoc appointment with another specialist.

So I got to “walk” to Fenway Park during my break. There was something going on, lots of TV trucks and some of the roads were closed to traffic.


More bikeforums related. At a teaching hospital there is a lot of conversation between the folks on the other side of the fourth wall. (I’m here and can hear you?)

“Nice legs.” “Athletic legs.” “Textbook legs.” “Young legs.” “Healthy legs.”

Anyhow....

Rolling rolling rolling....

-mr. bill
(The tendons on the other hand, sigh.)

-mr. bill
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Old 12-11-18, 10:24 PM
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On paper I look a little flat. In real life I cast a shadow.

I think I look and feel how 61 is supposed to look and feel.

If this is how 30 year olds look and feel, those poor kids are getting ripped off.
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Old 12-11-18, 11:18 PM
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Originally Posted by _ForceD_
I get an annual checkup with my doc. Last year, at 56 years old, he again commented to me "on paper you look like a 30 year old."

Dan
Me too. I'm 58. Only starting riding with any regularity or seriousness about 8 years ago. Prior to that I was always very athletic and into a variety of sports/was a gym regular with the weights, but with cycling I'm waaay more into longer, more endurance workouts, plus where I live you can't avoid tons of climbing, both on the road and the dirt. I don't think I could have done the climbing I do now at 58 in the condition I was in at 38, and I was technically in good shape. My doc said I'm as fit as someone mid-30's. And my legs never looked like this before--my wife digs it Of course, I have more aches and pains than I did back then, but c'est la vie . . .
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Old 12-12-18, 04:49 AM
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I am 64 and feel good , a few aches and some discomfort when stretching. I have ridden bikes regularly since the early seventies and still ride (probably more) now. I walk at least a couple of miles a day . One of my walks Monday through Friday is to get my morning coffee and then at lunch I either walk or a short bike ride . It helps that I am self employed (for routine) , but the added stress from that is a bit much sometimes. I am Vegan no alcohol, no smoking (anything!)and have hypothyroid condition( from stress a few years ago). I have to have blood work every couple of months and my Dr. says "it's like you are 12 !" Resting heart rate is 51bpm and low blood pressure. I can say yes, exercise helps , but also general lifestyle and genetics. Joe
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Old 12-12-18, 06:37 AM
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I'm 63 and have been to a cardiologist twice. Both times they cut the test short and basically said, you don't need this, just go ahead and ride. I actually get a little annoyed at my primary care doctor who suggests it, knowing how otherwise fit I am. It costs a lot of money to show what I already know. But once over 60 it is recommended.
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Old 12-12-18, 09:56 AM
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Originally Posted by zacster
I'm 63 and have been to a cardiologist twice. Both times they cut the test short and basically said, you don't need this, just go ahead and ride. I actually get a little annoyed at my primary care doctor who suggests it, knowing how otherwise fit I am. It costs a lot of money to show what I already know. But once over 60 it is recommended.
I've seen a lot more of a lot of cardiologists the last couple years than I ever wanted to see, but I don't remember hearing that I should see one just because I passed age 60. Is your PCP married to a cardiologist, perhaps?
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Old 12-17-18, 12:52 PM
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Originally Posted by _ForceD_
I get an annual checkup with my doc. Last year, at 56 years old, he again commented to me "on paper you look like a 30 year old."

Dan
That's pretty much what my doc says. I'm 62 with a of BP 102/67, resting heart rate of 56, low cholesterol (around 150) etc.... And it's basically all attributed to cycling. Wasn't always like that.

J.
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Old 12-17-18, 01:03 PM
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That was talking about "life long" exercising, I wonder if it works the same for Seniors starting later? Say, starting cycling at near 50 and starting running at closer to 60? I haven't had a checkup in many years, but at CVS my BP was back to normal good, and resting HR better than ever at 50 bpm so I'm hoping so.

My muscles surely don't feel like 30 years ago though
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Old 12-17-18, 06:28 PM
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I have been back to riding for about a year now. My Doctor took me off my blood pressure meds at my check up last month, and told me my cholesterol, not on meds, is also much improved. At 70 I feel better than I have for quite a while and now, down thirty lbs to 185, I am very happy. I just bought a second bike but I also use an elliptical, walk, yoga, and resistance training, so it is a combination of things. I am also busy at my home and our daughters so I try to stay active. I do not make an effort to eat any special way but I do try to eat healthy, for the most part.
I have to say that the bike part of my combination of exercise is the most enjoyable thing I do.
Frank.
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Old 12-19-18, 07:38 AM
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I ride to enjoy life. The distances and the pace don't really matter. What does matter is how this sport improves my mood. I'm not a drinker, per se, and I really can't be bothered to watch most sports. I'm a weak rider but I haven't been healthy my whole life so there isn't anything new there. Still, I return feeling mentally refreshed. Even when I roll up the driveway worn out physically. It really is the journey. It's sleeping well for example. Not needing the little butterfly pill just to slumber. Side effects. That road less travelled until it veers off and crosses yours again.

Surely this is contradictory to conventional thought, but I believe that the side effects of most medicines can be as dangerous to us in other aspects of our care as their purpose is in aiding us. I'm extremely skeptical of lifelong medical solutions when they're offered to me in pill form. Either you fix it, you show me how to fix it or you accept the fact I'm not likely to go on a permanent medication regimen. As a near twenty year cancer survivor I've become pretty obstinate about my life and how I will live it.

Last edited by shrtdstncrdr; 12-19-18 at 07:59 AM.
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Old 12-19-18, 09:56 AM
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Some aged related problems are genetic and can't be avoided. I rode some from age 32-37, but increased my mileage substantially at age 38 until I hung up the bike in 2010 at age 57, because my knees were shot. After getting both knees replaced in 2017, I decided to resume cycling because I was having so much knee stiffness and I was losing some of the range of motion in the left knee. Apparently the 8 years off didn't affect me too much, because I my max heart rate is still about 185. It used to be around 200 when I was in my thirties. Unfortutnately, cycling alone didn't help the left knee much, so I'm doing some additional stretching every day in an attempt to improve the range of motion in the left knee. I have enough range to cycle, but not much more. Both knees tend to stiffen-up if I stand or just walk slowly around my workshop for extended periods.

I've got other age related problems, like spinal stenosis and prostate problems that have me taking pills every day, My cardio-vascular system is great, but I sure don't feel like I did in my forties or fifties.
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Old 12-19-18, 11:38 AM
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Originally Posted by canklecat
On paper I look a little flat. In real life I cast a shadow.

I think I look and feel how 61 is supposed to look and feel.

If this is how 30 year olds look and feel, those poor kids are getting ripped off.
__________________
Proud parent of a happy inner child ...

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Old 12-19-18, 11:56 AM
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Originally Posted by canklecat
On paper I look a little flat. In real life I cast a shadow.

I think I look and feel how 61 is supposed to look and feel.

If this is how 30 year olds look and feel, those poor kids are getting ripped off.
Corollary to this: Inside of every 61yo is an 18yo wondering what the hell happened.
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Old 12-21-18, 06:52 AM
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67 and since riding for 2.5 years (started late doctors advice to exercise) no longer take blood pressure pills.
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Old 12-21-18, 07:34 AM
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30 year old heart. 68 year old back (hips, knees).
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