Fast Facts About Heart Disease For Seniors And Families
February is all about the heart, and not just on Valentine’s Day. February is American Heart Month which means it’s a fantastic time for seniors and their families to learn more about heart disease. Heart disease affects more than 116 million seniors. Heart disease can cause strokes as well as heart attacks. And heart disease is the leading cause of death of both men and women. Here are some other facts about heart disease that seniors and their families should know:
Senior Home Care Northville, MI:American Heart Month
- 1 in 4 People Die From Heart Disease
According to the latest available statistics from the CDC just over 659,000 people die from heart disease each year. That’s about 1 in 4 deaths nationally that are caused by heart disease.
- Heart Disease Isn’t Just One Disease
Heart disease is a blanket term that covers many different heart-related illnesses that can be fatal or that can cause heart attacks. Coronary Artery Disease is the most common type of heart disease. But heart disease can also refer to heart defects, arrythmia, heart infection, or heart valve disease.
- Heart Disease Is Caused By Plaques
Heart disease is primarily caused by atherosclerosis, or a buildup of fatty deposits called plaques in the coronary arteries. Lifestyle changes that include exercise and a healthy diet can slow down atherosclerosis and the development of heart disease.
Preventing Heart Disease
Seniors can take steps to prevent heart disease. Seniors who commit to a healthy lifestyle have a much better chance of not developing heart disease and they can also lower their risk of a heart attack or a stroke. But making those lifestyle changes can be difficult for seniors. Eating healthy and exercising more sound easy to do but for seniors it can be tough to stay on a healthy diet or get enough exercise. Senior home care is a great way to help your senior loved ones start to live better and lower their risk of heart disease. Senior care providers can offer advice, motivation, and accountability for seniors who are trying to get heart healthy.
Seniors who are avoiding exercise because of medical conditions that limit their mobility or put them in chronic pain should always consult with a doctor before starting any kind of vigorous exercise. But seniors don’t need to participate in strenuous workouts to get the heart benefits of exercise. Just taking your senior loved one for a walk around the block or having a senior home care provider go for a walk with them around the yard or the corner and back can have health benefits. Any movement is better than no movement when it comes to heart health for seniors.
Senior care providers can work with your senior loved ones to make healthy changes in their diet over time so that your senior parents are more likely to form new healthy habits. With small measurable goals and consistent effort your senior loved ones can be living a heart healthy life for a long time to come.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering senior home care in Northville, MI please contact the caring staff at No Place Like Home Health, LLC today. 734-259-4200
Sources:
https://www.cardiosmart.org/topics/older-adults-and-heart-disease
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/heart-health-and-aging
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20353118
https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm
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