Heart health should be a lifelong concern, but it becomes particularly important as we age.
Not only is cardiovascular disease responsible for 610,000 deaths in America every year—its risk factors, like obesity, high-blood pressure, and physical inactivity, can also contribute to the occurrence of diseases like Alzheimer’s, dementia, and general cognitive dysfunction.
If you’re concerned about the heart health of either yourself or aging loved one, there are a few pieces of valuable information to keep in mind.
Bluebird Homecare has highlighted a few of the most important below.
Coronary Heart Disease Causes the Most Deaths
Coronary heart disease occurs when plaque builds up in the coronary arteries near the heart. This build up leads to reduced transfer of oxygen-rich blood to your heart; narrowed arteries can lead to blood clots, angina, heart attacks and heart failure.
Treatment for coronary heart disease can include things as simple as lifestyle changes
It’s important to start taking the medications and making the dietary changes that are necessary to prevent CHD from threatening yours or your aging loved one’s longevity.
Some Activities Can Increase Your Risk of Coronary Heart Disease
Smoking, insulin resistance, and a sedentary lifestyle are some of the largest contributing factors to coronary heart disease.
Men are slightly more likely than women to develop the condition, though heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women across the majority of demographics.
High blood pressure is another big contributor to the disease; high blood pressure that is left untreated for many years can lead to hardened arteries, narrowing the passageway through which your blood flows. Smoking can contribute to both high blood pressure and issues with your vascular system, both of which can contribute to the development of arterial issues.
High stress is also a contributing factor to heart health issues and hardening of arteries. Relaxation and stress-relief are vital to maintaining the healthiest heart possible.
Aging Causes Natural Changes in Blood Vessels and Heart Health
Another reason it’s so important to monitor and manage your heart health as you age? There are natural, inevitable changes to the heart through the years; discerning between normal changes and warning signs is important.
Changes in the rhythm and heartbeat are normal as we age. Arrhythmia and a slower overall heartrate are both fairly common in the aging population. Blood volume is also slightly reduced in older people, as the body carries generally less fluid as we age.
It’s important to be familiar with the normal alterations to the state and function of your heart throughout the aging process. Being keen to any abnormal changes can help facilitate trips to the doctor as they’re needed.
You Can Help Your Aging Loved One Maintain Heart Health
If you’re concerned for the heart health of an aging loved one, diet and exercise are the easiest places to start.
Making sure Mom or Dad has the heart-healthy foods they need is vital.
Exercise is also important; helping your aging loved one develop and maintain an exercise regimen can ensure that they’re meeting their needs for heart-bolstering physical activity.
While providing this type of assistance on a daily basis can be a challenge for us as we live our lives, homecare services can make everything easier.
Bluebird Homecare understands the demands of a heart-centric diet and exercise regimen. That’s why we offer special packages (like our Meal Preparation Package) that are focused on helping your aging loved one prepare the meals they need.
We also offer transportation services to ensure that Mom or Dad can get to the grocery store for healthy ingredients or the pharmacy to fill their heart medication prescriptions. We can also offer help completing an exercise regimen or offer transportation to a local fitness center where your parent can complete a doctor-prescribed workout or partake in group exercise classes.
The next step towards helping your aging loved one maintain heart health is just a phone call away.
Contact Bluebird Homecare to learn more about our services today.