HEART TROUBLES IN MIDDLE AGE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 22, 30 April 1947, Page 6

HEART TROUBLES IN MIDDLE AGE

Once the heart is damaged, it cannot be made anew. One can often live happily at a lower level of activity, and avoid the distress signals the shortness of breath, heart pain or palpitation and swelling of feet.. One way to prevent heart damage progressing to the stage of causing symptoms is to have periodic health examinations. On detecting the heart damage early, and while the heart has still full pumping capacity, advice can be given to ease up and keep the heart above the breakdown stage. This is one of the values of health overhauls. Two of the causes of heart disease from middle age onwards—arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, and high blood pressure, can be postponed or mitigated, or even avoided, by being sensible in one’s living as one nears the meridian of hfe. One’s life needs a balance of sleep and recreation, leisure and work. No crowding out of sleep and leisure. Seven or eight hours’ sleep daily pays. Recreation must be suited to one’s capability. If tennis makes you short of breath and tired unduly, give it up for something less strenuous. Have a little spell after meals is another wise idea—no hard garhe or exercise on a full stomach. Have a short hap instead. But do have some exercise that you find suitable—maybe golf, or walking, or gardening, or what you will without discomfort. Cut out the hurry about things—whether driving your motor car or yourself. You’ll last longer if you don’t go pushing everywhere. And if there is an easy way to do a hard job, study it out. Don’t be ashamed of having little spells of complete relaxation in the middle of any task. As to eating, moderation in amount and eating less fats, sweets, and starchy foods is a good idea, especially for heavy weights. Fresh vegetables, fruit, milk, cheese and eggs should be the kernal of the diet. A sensible ordered plan of living, avoiding excess and high-pressure bustle, gives one the best chance of healthy long living hearts.