Promoting heart health on World Heart Day with the support of senior home care.
Taking care of the heart is important at every age, but it becomes even more essential for seniors. As the body changes, so do the risks for cardiovascular disease—the leading cause of death worldwide. World Heart Day on September 29 is the perfect reminder to focus on heart health and make positive lifestyle adjustments that can protect your loved one’s future. With the right habits—and the guidance of senior home care—seniors can take meaningful steps toward stronger hearts, longer lives, and greater independence.
What is World Heart Day?
September 29 is World Heart Day. World Heart Day. The goal of World Heart Day is to reduce cardiovascular disease in the world. Cardiovascular disease is the biggest killer in the world and takes the lives of more than 20 million people each year.
Conditions that affect the heart or blood vessels, such as stroke, heart failure, and heart attacks, are responsible for taking too many lives each year. The majority of these deaths are preventable with some lifestyle changes, so why not use Sept 29 to kick off some heart-healthy changes with your loved one?
How the Heart Ages
Many bad habits don’t affect the heart when a person is younger, but as your loved one ages, his heart changes along with his hairline. The chambers of the heart may increase while the heart wall thickens. The valves that manage the blood flow from chamber to chamber can also become stiff and thick, limiting the blood flow needed for a healthy heart.
Fortunately, by practicing heart-healthy living, your loved one can reduce the risks associated with heart disease.
Five Heart-Healthy Tips for Seniors
#1 Manage any Current Heart Conditions
High blood pressure, diabetes, and bad cholesterol levels can all cause damage to the heart and lead to more serious heart conditions. Many times, managing these types of diseases involves lifestyle changes along with medication. Your loved one might need support to keep these conditions under control, such as having a senior home care provider help him prepare healthy meals or help him manage his medications.
#2 Enjoy a Healthy, Well-balanced Diet
Even if your loved one currently doesn’t have any health conditions, that doesn’t give him free rein to eat whatever he wants when he wants. Years of unhealthy food choices can wreak havoc on the body and its cardiovascular system. Your loved one should strive to have a diet that is rich in healthy foods such as lean proteins, fresh fruit and vegetables, and whole grains. If this is a large change for your loved one, consider having a senior home care provider help him with preparing healthy meals.
#3 Stop Smoking and Drinking
Drinking too much alcohol and smoking or vaping can damage artery walls and create undue stress upon the body, making the heart work much harder than it should. Even if your loved one has smoked or drank for decades, quitting now can help prevent further damage to his cardiovascular system.
#4 Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is extremely important for a healthy heart. A consistent good night’s rest allows the body to repair and restore itself so that it’s stronger and ready for the next day. Your loved one may need to work on developing healthy sleep habits like a consistent bedtime and avoiding consuming items that may keep him up at night.
#5 Exercise (Almost) Every Day
The recommended amount of physical activity is 150 minutes a week. If your loved one is able, doing both resistance workouts (like strength training) and aerobic workouts (like walking or swimming) is best for a healthy heart.
Senior Home Care Can Help Maintain a Healthy Heart Lifestyle
When changes are tough, consider having a senior home care provider as part of your loved one’s care team to encourage, implement, and support a new heart-healthy lifestyle.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Senior Home Care in Hollywood, CA, please contact the caring staff at Nu Care Inc. today. 800-505-6890
Sources: