Many people know that maintaining a moderate amount of exercise is very beneficial for health, especially for the elderly, and walking seems to have become one of the most common daily activities.

In fact, many people don't expect that walking is not only as simple as moving arms and legs, but also like a mirror, reflecting the health of our cardiovascular, muscle, and bone health.

It can even reveal some signs of longevity, especially at the age of 60, when small changes in health often affect our quality of life and the length of our lifespan.

As a doctor who has worked in the hospital for many years, I can tell you that these signals during walks are crucial for us to judge whether we are "healthy and long-lived".

Speed & Stability

The speed and stability of the stride is a very direct indicator of the physical condition of the elderly, and I have a patient who always complains that he always feels unsteady when he walks, and even often falls.

At first, he thought he was old and his health was not as good as before, so he didn't take it too seriously, but then the symptoms of chest tightness and difficulty breathing became more and more frequent, so he felt that something was wrong and rushed to the hospital.

After a detailed examination, we found that he had mild heart failure and unsteady steps, which were caused by insufficient pumping of blood from the heart.

In fact, changes in stride often reflect cardiovascular health, and slower walking, unsteady pace, and fatigue may be a sign of declining heart function.

If you can maintain a normal pace of pace after the age of 60 and even feel particularly tired, it means that your cardiovascular system is healthier, and other body functions may be in better shape, and you are more likely to live a long life.

If you notice that your walk slows down, your pace is unsteady, or you even experience leg pain or fatigue, you need to be alert for cardiovascular or muscular problems.

Regular check-ups, along with moderate exercise and a balanced diet, are essential to prevent these health problems and keep your body in shape!

The frequency and depth of breathing

Breathing is one of the most direct responses of the body to exercise, especially when walking, whether our breathing is stable and deep, can directly reflect the state of cardiopulmonary function.

Many elderly people like to feel the air and enjoy the scenery of nature while walking, but they don't know that breathing at this time can also reveal a lot of health information.

I had a patient who had a lot of breath during a walk and needed to stop and catch his breath after walking for a while.

At first, he thought it was due to his sedentary lifestyle, lack of exercise, and poor physical strength, but when he went to the hospital for examination, we found that he had a certain chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and his lung function had declined.

It's hard to breathe, it's not a joke, especially if you go out for a walk, and you don't take two steps and you gasp like something, and you feel like you can't breathe, then you have to be careful, maybe your lungs are already asking you for help.

On the contrary, if you are able to maintain a steady breathing while walking, and do not feel discomfort such as chest tightness and shortness of breath, it usually means that your cardiopulmonary function is in good condition, which means that the body's metabolic level is higher and the probability of longevity is also higher.

The depth and frequency of breathing is an important indicator of the health of older adults, and when you go for a walk, being able to maintain a breathing rate between 16 and 0 breaths per minute and not feeling panting or chest tightness usually means that you have a better cardio and are expected to be physically fit longer.

If you find that you have persistent symptoms such as shortness of breath and shortness of breath while walking, it is important to pay attention to it and go to the hospital for a chest CT or pulmonary function test in time to understand the health status of your lungs.

Maintaining good breathing habits and avoiding air pollution can help maintain healthy heart and lung function.

Recovery after exercise

For most older adults, recovery after exercise is a very critical health indicator, and strong recovery means that the body's various systems are more capable of self-healing, which is often a sign of longevity.

I also have a patient who is a retiree in her 70s who walks all year round, and each walk is of moderate duration and intensity.

To her delight, it barely took her long to recover, even if she felt a little tired after a walk.

Through further physical examination, we found that her muscle strength and bone density are very healthy, which makes her maintain good athletic ability while also indicating that she has strong vitality.

There is a significant relationship between the exercise recovery capacity and mortality rate of the elderly, and if they can quickly return to a normal state after exercise, it often indicates that all aspects of physical health are in a better state.

Especially after the age of 60, the resilience of the elderly is an important indicator of physical health and life expectancy.

If you are able to return to normal soon after a walk, it means that your bone and muscle strength is well maintained, and your metabolism is functioning normally, and your body functions are more coordinated, and you are naturally more likely to live a long life.

If you are so tired after every walk, even if you rest for a while, then you have to think about it, maybe it is the muscles, the heart and lungs, these places are sounding the alarm bell for you.

Exercising, eating healthier, and getting a check-up from time to time are all unique ways to improve your resilience and improve your quality of life!

Walking to judge health is not a far-fetched idea, but walking speed, breathing and recovery ability are all important indicators of physical health.

After the age of 60, if you can maintain a normal walking pace, breathe smoothly and recover quickly, then your cardiovascular and lung health is usually better, which is one of the signs of longevity.

Of course, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, regular medical check-ups, and maintaining a happy mood can better achieve "go further and live longer".

Walking is a simple and practical job, not only to move your body and bones, but also to check your physical health, and then enjoy the good time outdoors by the way.

If you are able to notice some of your performance while walking and take appropriate measures in time, you will not only be able to avoid potential health risks, but also possibly maintain a healthier body and live longer for years to come.

The above content is for reference only, if you feel unwell, please consult a professional doctor in time

What do you think about walking and longevity? Welcome to discuss in the comment area!

Proofread by Zhuang Wu