Ocassional exercise and sexual activity can increase risk of heart attack

New research says both exercise and sex can trigger a short term increased risk of heart attack and sudden cardiac death. This risk is low to those who maintain constant physical activity. When it comes to these activities your better to do it on a regular basis, especially for seniors. Regular physical activity is strongly associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease and related mortality. Overall an event of sexual activity was associated with 2.7 times increased risk of heart attack, atleast one to two hours after exerting oneself. This study found that each additional time a person exercised in a week reduced the risk of heart attack by 45%, and 30% for suddden cardiac death. If you have not done much physical activity recently dont go running a marathon, gradually build up your stamina.

Story telling program improves lives of people with Alzheimers

An estimated 5.3 million Americans have Alzheimers, including 5.1 senior citizens aged 65 and older. Dementia symptoms include a loss of brain function that affects memory, thinking, language, judgment, and behavior. TimeSlips, a creative storytelling program, is for people with Dementia that encourages participants to use their imagination to create short stories as a group. It encourages participants to be actively involved and to experience moments of recognition, creation, and celebration. This study held one hour sessions, twice a week for six weeks. The results included increased expressions of pleasure and initiation of social communication. Improvements lasted several weeks following the last session.

Seniors surviving breast cancer have more risk of falling

Women who are seniors and breast cancer survivors, appear to fall more than their peers. Combined effects of chemotherapy and endocrine therapy may increase the risk of bone fractures. Researchers asked post-menopausal breast cancer survivors whether they had fallen in the past year and tracked their falls over a 6 month study period. Researchers used a comprhensive set of neuromuscular and balance characteristics. The study findings suggest that the balance problems may have been related to changes in the vestibular system that is associated with chemotherapy. The vestibular system begins in the inner ear and is responsible for balance and posture,and also regulates locomotion and other movements. This study is to consider how breast cancer treatment may increase your fall risk and by exploring mediators of the treatment/falling relationship.

Medical coverage

The new year will change the way many of us get our health care under the reform law President Obama signed back in March. The administration knows there are plenty of skeptics and is still trying to sell health care reform as a good deal for tax payers. One new provision should help anyone with a job and insurance: employer plans have to spend 80-85% of your premium dollars on services related to medical care. And for those on Medicare, the so called donut hole is getting smaller. The donut hole is a gap in coverage that exists for seniors who've spent a certain amount for drugs and is in whats called the 'part D' drug plan. Starting this year seniors who fall into that gap will get 50% discount on brand name drugs and a much smaller discount on generic drugs. Seniors will get free preventive benefits. Many of the biggest changes in health care reform, including a mandate that everyone buy health insurance, wont kick in until 2014.

Stroke

The latest statistics from the CDC showed that the number of deaths caused by strokes has dropped from the 3rd place of causes of death. Stroke is now the 4th leading cause of death, down from the 3rd rank it has held for decades. A new study finds that nearly 2/3rds of senior citizens discharged from hospitals after Ischemic stroke die or are readmitted within one year. Stroke is the 2nd leading cause of hospital admissions among elders. Ischemic stroke, which occurs as a result of obstruction within a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain, accounts for 87% of all strokes. In-hospital death rates for Ischemic stroke patients are nearly 15% within 30 days of admission and more than 30% within one year admission. The post discharge death or admission rates are 61.9% within one year discharge.
Having a stroke is a medical emergency, know these signs of a stroke, every second counts:
*Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg especially on one side of the body.
*Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
*Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
*Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
*Sudden severe headache with no known cause.