Age brings changes in the ability of the heart to pump blood through the body as sufficiently as it is needed. With exercise the heartbeat rate and blood pressure of older people increases more than it did in younger days. The limit of the ability of the heart to pump blood under circumstances of exertion comes more quickly for older people. This declining ability of the heart is one of the reasons older people have less capacity to do physical work. Studies indicate the risk of heart disease can be lowered by not smoking, exercising moderately and consistently, and following a moderate calorie and low-fat diet.
Muscular changes affect elimination of waste when muscles relax and lose their tone.
Urination may be more frequent. In men, enlargement of the prostate gland can reduce the size of the channel for urine. Special surgery can remove part of the gland to allow a more normal flow of urine. Infection problems may arise when urine remains in the bladder too long. Constipation is common for older people.