Tips to Help Seniors Remain Heart-Healthy

There are a large number of seniors that believe that their risk for heart disease is inevitable as they grow older. The truth is that there are a number of ways that the heart can be kept in great shape, which are highlighted here.
What is Heart Disease?
Heart disease is a term that has been given to a number of different conditions that affect a person’s heart. The most common type of heart disease in the U.S. is referred to as coronary artery disease and can be responsible for severe cardiovascular events, such as chest pain, heart failure, heart attack and arrhythmia.
Symptoms of Heart Disease
Signs of heart disease may not appear until a person is actually having a heart attack. The main symptoms include: vomiting or feeling nauseous, unable to catch your breath, sensation of light-headedness, faint feeling, pain in the chest and/or sweating.
Steps to Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease
There are a number of medical conditions that can increase the chances of heart disease and increase the risks of a heart attack. Reducing these conditions can help reduce the chance of heart disease: Lower cholesterol and high blood pressure, Maintain control of diabetes, Take proper medication to treat chest pain.
Seven Steps to Preventing Heart Disease
Once you have your medical conditions under control, you should use the following steps to further reduce your chances of developing heart disease:
1. Get plenty of exercise.
2. Quit Smoking.
3. Eat a diet that is heart healthy.
4. Watch your blood pressure and cholesterol numbers.
5. Minimize your stress.
6. Keep your weight under control.
7. Reduce alcohol consumption.
Using these tips, you can have a healthy heart well into your golden years.
Myles McNamara is the owner of Comfort Keepers In-Home Care, and can be reached at 661-287-4200.