Being active at any age helps heart health says new study – and how to exercise with arthritis

Being physically active in old age can help reduce the risk of a heart attack, according to new research published in Circulation.
Scientists studied the function of hearts in people over the age of 65 years. They found that those who remained active, or who boosted the amount of exercise they did, had a lower risk of heart problems.
“This study shows that, no matter how old you are, there are health benefits from being physically active,” explains Thembi Nkala, senior cardiac nurse from the British Heart Foundation. “As we get older the idea of gruelling gym sessions probably don’t appeal, however, there’s lots of other ways be active. Going for regular walks is a great way to boost your physical and mental wellbeing.
“You don’t need to revolutionise your life. Start by making small changes that work for you.”
Taking exercise can be particularly challenging for people with arthritis but the latest guidance from the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence highlighted its importance for people with osteoarthritis.
Arthritis Care has published a booklet about exercise and arthritis, which can be accessed here. It contains useful exercises for people with arthritis, top tips and helpful organisations.