Many of the leading causes of death for people between the ages of 25 and 65 are preventable. Lifestyle habits either speed up or reverse disease and aging. Adults can reclaim good health by changing their poor health habits. This will decrease their risk for disability and their time spent in the "Disability Zone."

The Disability Zone is that period of time in life when people can no longer function on their own. They are limited in mental, physical or social functioning. Health risk factors can move people into the Disability Zone where they may not be able to take care of themselves. Risk factors can lead to decreased body function or to disease.

For example, an inactive lifestyle can promote the onset of heart disease, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis and diminished mental health. Over many years, cholesterol deposits, called plaque, are laid down in blood vessels from smoking, eating too much fatty foods, not exercising, being overweight and having high blood pressure. A heart attack occurs when fatty plaques and clots block the flow of blood to an area of the heart muscle. The area dies and scars form if the person survives the attack.

Some plaque can be reduced by eliminating the health risk factors that caused it. Cut back on fatty foods, exercise, stop smoking and lose weight if you are overweight. By doing this with medical guidance, a normal life span can be lived with a higher quality of life.

One of the goals listed by the U.S. Public Health Department is to increase the span of healthy life for Americans. Exercise is a major contributor to this goal. Exercise improves fitness.

Fitness and exercise are crucial to successful aging. A no-exercise lifestyle is a major health risk. Exercise is fitness medicine. Fitness medicine prevents loss of function by promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors. It brings about positive changes to reduce human and financial losses associated with chronic diseases. The impact of fitness medicine is both healing and preventive. It is self-health care that regenerates the body and rekindles the spirit. It adds years to life and life to years.

The specialists at Saint Vincent Sports Medicine offer prevention, performance and treatment strategies for athletes of all ages. For more information about the exercise that’s right for you, contact Saint Vincent Sports Medicine at 814-835-2035.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a health care professional.