02/28/2025
A study by cardiologists at UT Southwestern and Texas Health Resources reveals that regular exercise can reverse damage caused by a sedentary lifestyle and aging heart — provided it begins before age 65.
Researchers found that exercising four to five times a week significantly improved heart function, increasing oxygen intake by 18% and enhancing the heart’s elasticity by 25%.
This regimen, tested over two years, included moderate-intensity sessions, high-intensity intervals, and strength training. Those who followed this structured routine experienced significant cardiovascular improvements compared to a control group engaged in yoga and balance training.
Dr. Benjamin Levine, lead researcher and Director of the Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, emphasized that exercise should be viewed as essential as daily hygiene. The study highlights that sedentary aging stiffens the heart’s left ventricle, reducing its ability to pump blood efficiently, potentially leading to heart failure. However, consistent aerobic and strength training exercises can restore heart elasticity—if started in middle age.
The findings, published in Circulation, reinforce that maintaining an active lifestyle can be a powerful tool in preserving heart health and preventing age-related cardiac decline.Proper exercise can literally reverse heart damage.
learn more: https://www.utsouthwestern.edu/newsroom/articles/year-2018/exercise-aging-heart.html
