Would like to solicit some information from the big T-Mag collective.
My father is turning 75. Has been very healthy. Hasn’t seen a hospital in 25 yrs. This past year however, he had a bad run of luck. He had a gall bladder operation to remove some stones, had a minor heart attack during the procedure and then discovered he had some clogged arteries which were treated with angioplasty. Long story short he is recovered at this point and has a pretty good outlook on things. Also has diabetes but is not treated with insulin, just diet.
Here is my question. He has been very active. Golf, work around the house etc. Last week he shot a 120 on the course. He always hit in the upper 80’s. Said he barely finished the round. Also he is having trouble walking. Used to do 3 miles, now 1 is tiring and painful. Should he keep pushing it (walking)? Any other excercise for a 75 yr. old that I could suggest. Maybe a resistance routine? Also how about a supplement regiem? I was thinking about Tribex as a mood and muscle booster?
Any ideas would be appreciated especially if any of you have dealt with this issue with a parent.
I have a similar situation with my Dad. Before I would offer any advice relative to exercise, I think it is important to make sure that he has been given a complete physical exam and is cleared for exercise.
You might be onto something with the Tribex idea. I gave my father Fish Oils and saw a huge difference in mental sharpness and mood. You might give that a try. Also, make sure he has a good multi-vitamin with Folic Acid in it. Folic acid seems to perk up many seniors.
I second ZEB, doctor first, chances are the doc will agree w/provisions ie. heart rate monitoring, low intensity, so on.
surgery takes alot out of seniors, even healthy ones, I have a patient who is 80 that recently had a small procedure done and he is very weak, but does what he can.
the best thing to do with older folks is just keep them moving, flexibility and balance are a must, as well as resistance training
a modified edt program works pretty good with healthy seniors.
I think Zeb is right. All the high-priced medical help (cardiologist, endocrinologist, etc.) tends to look at one part of the body or concentrate on one type of problem. Other problems may or may not fall through the cracks, until the symptoms include rigor mortis. A physical exam by someone who is NOT a specialist may be cheap insurance.
Contrary to what everyone "knows," a heart attack doesn't necessarily make you weak. (My powerlifts are better now than they were 16 months ago, when I had a heart attack and stent implant.) Something is going wrong, either secondary to the heart attack or in addition to the heart attack. I hope that you can find it and fix it.
Strength & courage,
"Coach Joe"
I agree with the above, see a doctor first to ensure that all is well for exercise.
As for training programs, I can’t necessarily give you any specifics, but I can tell you that one of the labs in my school has a program just for people like your father. Dr. Neil McCartney has done some pioneering research with heart attack patients and resistance exercise. Long story short…resistance exercise appears to be good for elderly people who have had heart attacks.
Here’s a link you may want to check out. There are some articles at the bottom you could look for.