An Introduction to Senior Heart Health
It probably goes without saying that the heart is an essential part of the body. And since February is American Heart Month, we thought we’d write a series about heart health in seniors.
Just as the heart is an essential part of the body, so too is taking proper care of your heart an essential part of maintaining good health. Throughout this series, we will cover a wide number of issues concerning heart health, from basic facts about heart health, to an outline of cardiovascular diseases, to how we can control our cardiovascular health.
For today, we’ll be focusing on some basic facts about heart health. Take a look below:
The facts
- According to the CDC, cardiovascular disease (CVD)including heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure is the number 1 killer of women and men in the United States. It is a leading cause of disability, preventing Americans from working and enjoying family activities.â€Â
- And, according to WebMD, about 550,000 per year people are diagnosed with heart failure a broad term, which means that the heart does not pump as well as it should and heart failure is the leading cause of hospitalization in people older than 65.
Risk factors associated with heart disease
- The risk factors associated with heart disease vary. As the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics notes, heart disease can be hereditary. As such, there is an increase in the risk of heart attack if a first-degree relative (parent or sibling) has had a heart attack or stroke. The CDC also notes that race and ethnicity may also affect your risk.
- Aside from these factors, health habits can present a major issue if neglected. Here are several other health risk factors associated with heart disease:
- Smoking
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Obesity
- Poor diet choices that may result in high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and diabetes
Heart health can be improved
Fortunately, heart health can be improved. With the proper steps, heart disease can be potentially reversible, though it is better to try your best to prevent heart disease from occurring. All in all, this requires thoughtful planning, such as attending to cholesterol, blood pressure, dietary habits, etc., all of which we will discuss later on in this series.
Maintaining proper heart health is extremely important to ensuring the best quality of life possible for you, as well as your aging loved ones. On Wednesday, we will outline several aspects of cardiovascular disease, including its causes and effects. In the meantime, if you have any questions, feel free to give us a call. We’d love to hear from you.
Physicians’ Choice Private Duty Assisted Living currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of geriatric care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. Get your free Cost Comparison guide by clicking here. Or contact us for a free consultation or just to say hello!
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