Key points from article :
A new fitness regime in your 70s can be very good for your heart; walking, bowls and even fishing all counting as sufficient.
Data obtained from a major study of 3,099 older Italians of 65 and above.
Men were more likely to be physically active than women.
20 minutes of running, cycling or moderate-vigorous exercise a day reduces risk of heart diseases by 52% in men and 8% in women.
Physical activity improves the flow of blood in the arteries, reducing its stickiness and the formation of blood clots.
Exercise made a notable difference at 70 years, marginal benefit at 75 years and no difference after 80 years.
“When it comes to physical activity, the sooner one starts, the better,” - Claudio Amidei, co-author of the study.
“If overall health conditions allow a person to engage safely in some form of physical activity, exercising is beneficial at all ages,” - Amidei.
Study by University of Padua published in the journal Heart.
