By Zulay Zayas, ARNP
Sarcopenia is the loss of muscle mass specifically related to aging. It’s normal to lose some muscle mass as you age. However, sarcopenia describes severe muscle loss that strays from the norm. Sarcopenia affects your gait, balance, and overall ability to perform daily tasks. Your heart is a muscle, so sarcopenia can also affect your heart health as well. Sarcopenia has been linked to metabolic problems like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. These conditions put you at greater risk of developing coronary heart disease, stroke, and other conditions that affect the blood vessels. For a long time, researchers have believed that this muscle deterioration was inevitable. But now we have new treatments that might prevent or slow down this process.
Symptoms
People with sarcopenia often experience weakness and lose stamina. This can affect their ability to carry out physical activities. A reduction in activity then leads to further muscle mass loss.
Causes
A common cause of sarcopenia is decreased physical activity throughout the day. However, although less frequent, some people with active lifestyles may also be diagnosed with sarcopenia. This suggests that there could be other reasons for developing the disease.
Researchers currently believe that other causes of sarcopenia could include:
• A reduction in the nerve cells that send signals from your brain to tell your muscles to move
• A lowering of your hormone levels
• A decline in your body’s ability to convert protein to energy
• Not consuming enough daily calories and protein to maintain your muscle mass
Treatment Exercise
The main treatment path for sarcopenia is exercise. Researchers have identified resistance training as the specific form of exercise that is most beneficial to people with sarcopenia. This training is designed to improve muscle strength and stamina and uses resistance bands or weights.
Outlook
Sarcopenia is an age-related condition. Because of this, it’s difficult to determine whether it affects life expectancy. However, the condition influences your quality of life. A practical exercise plan and proper nutrition can greatly improve this. People who maintain a sedentary lifestyle following the diagnosis of sarcopenia may have more significant and faster muscle mass loss. If measures aren’t taken to slow the condition’s progression, people with sarcopenia can often be left bedridden.
Zulay Zayas, is an advanced registered nurse practitioner (ANRP) with many years of experience in the cardiac and endovascular field of study, who currently works in Naples, FL. at the Naples Cardiac & Endovascular Center.
Zulay began to work at the Naples Cardiac & Endovascular Center as an advanced registered nurse practitioner. She is responsible for venous pre-op evaluations and post-op follow-ups, and treats patients who need sclerotherapy and transcutaneous laser treatments for spider veins.
For an appointment with Zulay and the highly trained, professional team at Naples Cardiac & Endovascular Center, visit our website at www.heartvein.com or call 239.300.0586.
Dr. Julian J. Javier, Dr. Leandro Perez and Dr. Tracey Roth are Interventional Cardio-Vascular specialists with emphasis on peripheral arterial and venous disease and valvular heart problems. They are board certified in interventional cardiology and recognized nationally and internationally, authors of multiple articles in prestige peer review journals and book chapters.
They are affiliated with Physicians Regional Medical Center and Collier Regional and are accepting new patients.
Naples Cardiac and Endovascular Center
1168 Goodlette N., Naples, FL 34102
239-300-0586 | www.heartvein.com