Taking care of your heart is key to health. Learn how to best take care of your heart.

 

Get all recommended regular health checks

Attending regularly scheduled visits with your team of medical professionals becomes critical as we age. Your doctor can check blood pressure, run screenings and blood tests, prescribe and adjust medications, and make dietary recommendations. They will also assess the state of your mental and emotional health.

Know the warning signs of a Heart Attack

Signs of an oncoming heart attack can include chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, pain in the upper body, arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach, breaking out in a cold sweat, and dizziness. If you notice these symptoms, please seek help immediately! Many heart attack fatalities can be prevented by taking action as soon as you realize what is happening.

Diet and Weight maintenance

heart-healthy diet includes nuts and seeds, omega-3 fats from seafood, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and polyunsaturated fats. Foods high in sodium, processed meats, saturated fats, and sugary beverages have been linked to cardiometabolic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke. Obesity is a significant risk factor for heart disease as well as other health issues. Maintaining a healthy BMI is crucial for health.

Staying Active is Key

As we age and our bodies tend to decline in strength, range of mobility, and cardiovascular function. Regular exercise is very important to heart health. The old adage “Move it or lose it” rings true. When you move and exercise your whole life it keeps you feeling better, weight down, and the body in better shape. Assuming there are no chronic or other conditions that would be worsened by physical activity, the CDC recommends that seniors “move more and sit less.”

Smoking & Drinking – Cut Back or Stop All Together

Smoking damages the heart muscle. Alcohol is also very hard on the heart. Especially for seniors it is recommended to quit both habits. If you cannot quit, cut back.

Self-Care is Important

As we age loneliness can become a problem. The kids have left home, friends may start to pass away, you start to feel isolated. Health issues can take their toll as well. What use to seem like manageable family tasks like caring for the house and home can become difficult. Being around people is healthy. If you are at an age where the consideration of moving into a senior group facility is at hand, there are many wonderful ones in the Tampa Bay area to consider.

Become Educated

Here are some wonderful resources on the most up to date heart health research and findings. The American Heart Association, the Mayo Clinic, the Cleveland Clinic’s patient education, and the National Institutes of Health.

Gratitude & Kindness

The value of human interaction and kindness should never be downplayed. Living a life focused on gratitude for what you have, brings more. Kindness is needed in every aspect of today’s society. One kind word may change a person’s day. Kindness and gratitude are good for the heart and good for the enrichment of others.