September is Healthy Aging Awareness Month. The Shreveport-Bossier spokesperson asked Dr. Ammar Husan on what steps people should take when it comes to aging well.
Ammar Husan, MD, MBA, DABFM, FAAFP, is a Family Medicine physician at Ochsner LSU Health and the School of Medicine’s Assistant Professor and Director of Medical Education for Family Medicine at LSU Health Shreveport.
When should we start focusing on healthy aging?
Good old age starts from the moment you are born, with the things you do, the way you live, and the way you are taught. As we grow up, we have to deal with the consequences of the way we lived when we were young.
We want to prioritize heart health, because heart disease is the number one cause of death in the entire population. We also want to prevent falls, because it’s hard to get back into your routine as you get older.
What are the main factors influencing healthy aging?
From a primary care perspective, we see firsthand how lifestyle choices profoundly affect aging. Regular check-ups are recommended to help us detect potential problems early, manage chronic conditions, and provide personalized advice. Maintaining good habits such as regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep and good mental health habits are important. Staying involved in the community also plays an important role, helping to prevent isolation, which can negatively affect mental and physical health.
Recent research shows that lifestyle plays an important role in healthy ageing, with approximately 75% of how we age influenced by choices such as diet, exercise and health. of the mind. Genetics is responsible for the other 25%, but it is the controllable factors that have the greatest impact on our long-term health.
For example, staying socially connected can reduce the risk of premature death by 50%, making social connections just as important as physical health in old age.
How important is exercise to maintain good health as we grow older?
Physical activity is one of the most powerful tools for preventing chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis.
Shirley Bagert performs with the Happy Heart Dancers for residents of Oak Park Village Assisted Living & Memory Care in Slidell, on June 20, 2024.
Physical activity reduces the risk of developing chronic diseases by 50% and reduces the risk of premature death by 30%. Regular exercise, even moderate activities such as brisk walking, has been shown to improve balance, reduce falls by 23%, and reduce the risk of dementia by up to 40%.
I often advise patients to include a combination of aerobic exercise, strength training, flexibility work, and balance exercises. Even small routine tasks can make a big difference. We want to prevent the fall.
I recommend that adults over 65 get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise per week, supplemented by strength and balance exercises.
The goal is to stay consistent—no matter where you start—and always consult with your health care provider for a structured approach.
What is the role of diet in healthy aging?
Varieties of tomatoes at Ed Lester Farms in Coushatta.
What you eat has a direct effect on your overall health as you age. In primary care, we emphasize the importance of eating a diet rich in nutrients—proteins, fats, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains—because they support brain health, reduce inflammation, and help manage conditions. chronic.
Diets such as the Mediterranean or DASH diet are not only “normal” but are supported by solid research that shows good heart health, cognitive function and longevity. A personalized approach to eating, taking into account the individual needs and circumstances, is key.
Following dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean diet is associated with a 30% reduction in the risk of heart disease and a 50% lower chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Simple dietary changes—such as reducing sodium intake and increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables—can reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease by 20%. The key is to eat a consistent, balanced diet that supports a healthy brain and body.
How can we take care of our mental health as we age?
Mental health is often overlooked, but it is essential to aging well. I emphasize that maintaining mental health is as important as physical health.
Staying socially active, seeking out mental stimulation, and dealing with any feelings of depression or anxiety early can prevent them from escalating. Mental decline is inevitable – taking quick steps to maintain mental health can have huge long-term benefits.
Mental health is closely related to physical health in adults. Research shows that adults with depression have a 40% higher risk of developing heart disease.
Loneliness, which affects about 25% of adults over the age of 65, is associated with a 26% increased chance of premature death. Doing regular social activities and mental stimulation can reduce the risk of cognitive decline and improve overall quality of life.
Do you encounter common misconceptions about aging?
The main misconception I encounter is the belief that aging means inevitable decline, yet 80% of adults over the age of 65 report being healthy or live well.
Chronic conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure are manageable with the right measures, and older people who stay physically and mentally active can maintain high levels of independence.
I also assure patients that older people can stay active, learn new skills, and maintain a high level of independence into their later years. Studies show that learning new skills and doing mental activities can reduce the risk of dementia by 30%.
How can we manage stress as we grow up?
Stress can worsen health conditions, so managing it is important for healthy aging.
I encourage adults to use stress reduction techniques such as mindfulness, regular exercise, and staying involved with their community or family.
Happy Heart Dancers performed for residents of Oak Park Village Assisted Living & Memory Care in Slidell, on June 20, 2024.
Chronic stress can increase the risk of heart disease by 40% and stroke by 50%, making stress management essential for healthy aging. Practices such as mindfulness and meditation can reduce stress by 30%.
I encourage adults to do things that bring them joy, stay with friends, and seek professional help when they feel out of control.
What advice do you have for people who want to make lifestyle changes for healthy aging?
For those looking to make healthy choices, it’s important to start small. As a primary care physician, I encourage patients to focus on real, incremental changes such as adding more vegetables to the diet, walking every day, or cutting back on processed foods.
Adopting healthy habits at any age can lead to significant health benefits. For example, quitting smoking at age 60 can increase life expectancy by three years, and just 30 minutes of daily exercise can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. nerves by 35 percent.
Fresh vegetables at Ed Lester Farms in Coushatta.
Regular health check-ups are also important—they provide personalized, knowledgeable advice tailored to a person’s lifestyle and life history.
Remember, it’s never too late to start improving your life. Even small changes—like walking more or eating more fruits and vegetables—can lead to significant improvements in health and well-being over time.
I think the most important thing that everyone should fight for is the quality of life. And that quality of life question is different for everyone.
Growing up is such a wonderful thing, isn’t it?
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