American Heart Month: The Heart Truth for Seniors

It’s February - American Heart Month, where we focus on the importance of heart health. Heart disease is the no. one leading cause of death in the United States, claiming the lives of over 650,000 people every year. For this reason alone, we can’t afford to skip a beat in ensuring that we, especially seniors at high risk, observe a healthy lifestyle for a healthy heart.

Every American Heart Month, we raise awareness of the risks of heart disease and highlight steps we can all take to save those suffering from it. This month is to remember those we have lost to heart disease and protect those at risk.

Why You Should Care: The Heart Truth for Seniors

People 65 years of age and older are more likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease because aging causes changes in the heart and blood vessels, increasing a person’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Age increases the risk factor for coronary artery disease since the arteries of older adults have been exposed to other risk factors like high cholesterol, hypertension, or smoking, for a longer period of time.

Other conditions like hypertension and diabetes, common late-life conditions among older people in the U.S, increase dramatically among older age groups and may further accelerate the worsening of coronary artery disease.

These factors are why being properly informed of the risk and early detection and treatment of heart diseases are especially important. This American Heart Month, know more, care more, and take action.

Healthy Heart Habits 

1. Move to the groove!

Being active may lower blood pressure, control weight gain, pump more oxygen into your heart, and reduce stress. So get moving and pick up good habits for the heart like jogging, brisk walking, cycling, and other heart-pumping aerobic activities. If you’re at risk or under special health conditions, it is best to consult your doctor first about which exercise plan or physical activities are safe for you to try.

2. Get cholesterol tested

Ask your doctor to perform a simple cholesterol test to let you know if you’re at risk and should make adjustments to your diet.

3. Choose healthy food

Heart-healthy eating involves choosing certain foods, such as fruits and vegetables, while limiting others, such as saturated and trans fats and added sugars.

4. Less stress is key

Research suggests that an emotionally upsetting event, particularly one involving anger, can trigger a heart attack in some people. Stress can contribute to high blood pressure and other heart disease risk factors. Stress is unavoidable, but you do have some control on how you respond to it and manage it. Learn healthy ways to manage stress and cope with problems to improve your physical and mental health. Talking to a professional counselor, participating in stress management programs, being more physically active, or talking to friends and family, are some of the healthy ways to manage stress.

5. Educate yourself

Do some research from trusted sources and consult a healthcare professional to learn about the risk factors of heart diseases, how you can prevent them, and the lifestyle choices you can make to stay healthy.

How Care Can Help

Emotionally and physically, the heart requires lots of care. It takes tons of effort to maintain a healthy lifestyle, especially for people in vulnerable conditions. But here’s some good news: Care Indeed can help. Care Indeed has professional caregivers who can support daily routines that promote good health and overall healthy living. They ensure that clients are supported whatever their health condition is. Care Indeed can help clients find the right, dependable, and trustworthy caregivers. Contact Care Indeed today to learn more about the services they can provide.