Luise Easton, 87, continues competing in triathlons despite chronic health conditions, including heart issues. Five years ago, she experienced shortness of breath during workouts and visited a sports cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic. Tests revealed her ejection fraction was below normal—a measure of how much blood the heart pumps with each heartbeat—and she had abnormal rhythms. Rather than retire from athletics, Easton sought treatment and now takes medications to regulate her heartbeat.
Her doctors adjusted her training regime, incorporating more recovery time and fine-tuning intensity and exercise volume. Dr. Tamanna Singh, the sports cardiologist who treated her, stated “we know exercise helps the heart” and emphasized that these adjustments helped Easton continue racing. At age 80, Easton won a medal in Denmark, and she also won in Ibiza in 2023. She focuses on a healthy diet and prioritizing rest.
Prevention and aging well
Heart disease is the top cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. However, a new Cleveland Clinic survey finds 1 in 4 adults don’t realize they are at risk, even though the vast majority have risk factors such as high blood pressure. According to Dr. Victoria Maizes, an integrative medicine expert, “close to 80% of heart disease is preventable through lifestyle changes.” Key factors include diet, timing of eating, exercise and movement, and stress management. Time-restricted eating, limiting eating to about 10 hours per day, has shown heart-health benefits.
Easton has adjusted her approach as she ages: “Now, instead of running, I walk. But there’s no rules that say you can’t walk,” she says. The Affordable Care Act mandates coverage for many preventive tests typically with no out-of-pocket costs, including cancer screenings, blood pressure, cholesterol, and mental health screenings. For those at risk of heart disease, more specialized testing is available, including blood tests measuring apoB and lipoprotein(a), though these typically require out-of-pocket payment.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.npr.org/2026/02/02/nx-s1-5691731/too-old-to-compete-this-87-year-old-triathlete-has-tips-for-staying-in-the-game