The Benefits of Dance
 Dancing for just 30 minutes three times a
week strengthens the heart, builds muscle and lessens the risk of
osteoporosis. One measurable benefit particularly impresses the students:
"It helps the blood pressure," Ann Hatzpanian, 71, says.
"We have our blood pressure checked every week," says Joe
Licciardi, 73. "Mine dropped."
Some 64 percent of American seniors have high blood pressure. Women
have a slightly higher incidence of high blood pressure and it's more
common among African-Americans.
"High blood pressure can be due to heredity or the result of a
person's lifestyle," says Cecile Abbot, RN, of the VNA of Rhode
Island. "It can lead to stroke, heart attack, kidney failure or
congestive heart failure." Called "the silent killer," it
usually has no symptoms. For that reason, it is especially important to
have routine blood pressure checks. While medication is prescribed for
people with severe cases, patients with milder cases are advised to lower
alcohol intake, quit smoking and cut salt and calories from their diet.
Physicians also recommend exercise-and that's where dancers have a
leg up. "Any kind of dancing is going to help, whether it's the
tango or the two-step," Abbot says, although she advises seniors to
ask their physician before taking up more strenuous forms like tap or
jazz.
"I've always loved to dance," Forster says. "My
husband and I were the first ones on the floor and the last ones off. When
he died, I had no one to dance with. But with line dancing, I can move the
way I used to and I don't need a partner."
Members of the Tuesday morning class agree on the benefits of dancing:
it brightens their outlook, provides lasting friendships and keeps them
mentally fit. They always leave happy. One dancer says, "I'd rather
come here than to my therapist!"
"It gives me a sense of well-being," Hatzpanian says.
Di Panni adds sagely, "It makes you hip."
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