Treat Concurrent Morbidities
Comorbid illnesses contribute to the sense of disability many elders feel.
CAD, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity as well as symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, numbness, and impaired vision all limit activity levels.
Physicians should ask their patients what physical symptoms and comorbidities limit their activity levels and determine if activity is safe for the specific disease.
In most cases, it is.
The next step is to address the treatable symptoms.
As an example, among the elderly, 1 of the most commonly undertreated symptoms is pain.
Those without athletic experience must learn to distinguish normal postexercise muscle aches from more serious causes of pain Educate elders about the treatable nature of their comorbid illnesses.
In fact, sedentary behavior is a precursor to all major modifiable risk factors for cardiac disease including diabetes, CAD, hypertension, and obesity.