February is designated as American Hearth Month. It's a time to raise awareness of heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States. With more than 17 million seniors over the age of 65 affected by this condition, it's important to take special care of our elderly during this month.
Risk Factors for Heart Disease in Seniors
Heart disease is caused by a number of factors such as smoking, high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and diabetes. The risk increases with age due to a decrease in physical activity, an increase in stress levels, and changes in hormone levels that can lead to an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. As a result, it’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of heart disease so that you can catch it early on before it becomes serious.
Preventive Care for Seniors
The good news is that there are numerous steps you can take to reduce your risk for heart disease. Regular checkups with your doctor are essential because they can help to detect any underlying health issues before they become too serious. Eating a balanced diet low in saturated fats and exercising regularly can also help reduce your risk of developing heart disease. Additionally, quitting smoking and reducing stress levels are two important steps you can take toward improving your overall health.
Helping Seniors Manage Their Risk Factors
It's important to keep seniors informed about their own personal risk factors as well as ways they can manage them properly. Encourage them to get regular checkups with their doctor so that any potential issues can be caught early on. Help them create an exercise plan that works best for them since physical activity plays an important role in maintaining good heart health. Make sure they understand the importance of eating healthy foods and avoiding those that are high in fat or sugar content. Finally, if they're smokers, encourage them to quit because smoking greatly increases their risk for heart disease or stroke.
American Hearth Month is a great opportunity for us all—especially elderly citizens—to learn more about how we can protect ourselves against this potentially deadly condition. By staying informed about our own personal risk factors, eating healthy meals, and engaging in regular physical activity, we can all work towards preventing heart disease from taking over our lives or those of our loved ones!