The Importance of Heart Health

February is American Heart Month. The most common cause of death in older adults in Heart Disease.  Some frequent conditions that contribute to hospital visits are heart failure, coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation. Heart Disease is impacted by the buildup of fatty deposits in the walls of arteries over several years.  Fortunately it is possible to delay, lower, or possibly avoid or reverse your risk.  

Increased stiffness of the large arteries is the most common change when agin.  This is what causes hypertension, of high blood pressure.   Advance aging and high blood pressure combined with other risk factors may lead to developing atherosclerosis.  The build up of plaque in the artery walls over time, will harden and narrow arteries.  Oxygen rich blood will limit the flow to your organs and other parts of your body.  When heart plaque build up in the coronary arteries, blood flow is reduced to your heart.  This will weaken the heart muscle over time.  This can lead heart failure.  Other attributes to heart damage are heart attacks, long-standing hypertension, diabetes and chronic heavy alcohol use. 

WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR….

Usually symptoms of heart disease are not noticeable.  Regular check ups with your doctor are increasingly important as you age.  According to the National Institute of Health and Aging contact your doctor if you have any of the below: 

• Pressure or discomfort in the chest

• Pain, numbness, and/or tingling in the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back

• Shortness of breath when active, at rest, or while lying flat

• Chest pain during physical activity that gets better when you rest

• Lightheadedness

• Dizziness

• Confusion

• Headaches

• Cold sweats

• Nausea/vomiting

• Tiredness or fatigue

• Swelling in the ankles, feet, legs, stomach, and/or neck

• Reduced ability to exercise or be physically active

• Problems doing your normal activities

WAYS TO PREVENT HEART DISEASE…

• Be more physically active.  Try to get 150 minutes of physical activity each week.  It should be spread through out the week.  Speak with your doctor about the type of actives that best suites you. 

• Quit Smoking!  Damage to your artery walls is added by smoking.  It is never too late to quit.  Quitting can lower your risk of cancer, heart disease and strokes. 

• A healthy diet is necessary to maintaining a healthy heart.  Foods low in saturated fats, salt and added sugar are should be most of your diet.  Eat foods high in fiber, fruits and vegetables.  

• Maintain a healthy weight.  Being physically active helps burn the calories you eat and drink.  Balance your portions with physical activity.  

• Manage high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes.  Checking in with you doctor to see what is necessary to keep things under control.  

• Stay away from too much alcohol consumption.  For women one drink a day is fine, and for men two is ok.  

• Stress Management.  Your physical and emotional health can be maintained by learning to manage stress, relax and cope with problems.  You can find stress management programs, physical activity, meditation and talking this through with loved ones great techniques.  

Reference: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/heart-health-and-aging#research