Skip to main content

Here’s How Seniors Can Love And Care For Their Heart

Heart disease is the number one killer of people across the globe. High blood pressure and high cholesterol are the biggest risk factors. Older adults aged 65 years and over are more at risk for a heart attack (myocardial infarction-MI), stroke, or to develop coronary heart disease (CHD) than their younger counterparts. These also are the leading cause of disability, restricted activity, and poor quality of life for seniors.

The good news is heart disease is mostly preventable. It all comes down to the lifestyle choices you make. The following tips can help you keep your heart healthy with increasing age:

Diet- What you eat has an impact on the health of your ticker. Diet of older adults should comprise foods high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and a range of colorful fruits and vegetables (5-7 servings a day). It is equally important to limit intake of saturated and trans fats and added sugars. Consuming nuts and high-fiber foods can be great for your ticker. Also, steer clear of high-fat diary or meats, and cut your alcohol consumption.

Quit smoking- Smoking is another great heart disease risk factor. You can easily manage this risk factor by stopping smoking. The artery walls get damaged as you smoke. No matter the age or stage of life you are in, quitting smoking can significantly lower your risk of cancer, heart disease and stroke over time. There are programs available that can help you break this habit.

Regular physical activity- There is no substitute for exercise, which can do your ticker a ton of good. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. Exercises, as simple as, brisk walking, gardening, etc. can help you manage many of the heart disease risk factors, such as hypertension and high cholesterol. It is advised that you always consult with your doctor prior to starting an exercise routine in order to be on the same side, especially if you have heart disease or are on certain medications, and to also maximize the outcome.

Understand your heart disease risk- Your risk of developing CHD depends on various factors, some changeable (lifestyle factors), some non-changeable (age, family history). This highlights the significance of thorough check-ups and risk assessments. Also, in collaboration with your doctor you can build strategies to reach heart-healthy goals.

Become aware of the heart disease symptoms- Signs of early heart disease are not that obvious. This makes check-ups at regular intervals important. Watch out for symptoms, such as headaches, cold sweats, fatigue, nausea/vomiting, difficulty breathing, swollen ankles, feet, legs, stomach, and/or neck, difficulty carrying out the basic activities, reduced ability to exercise, chest pain during exercise and light-headedness.

Talk to your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.

Other measures include

1.      Stay at a healthy weight (a healthy diet coupled with regular exercise can help)

2.      Manage unnecessary stress

3.      Receive plenty of quality sleep

4.      Keep medical conditions, such as diabetes, high LDL (bad) cholesterol, and high blood pressure in check

Undergo CPR training at the AHA certified CPR Tampa in Palm Harbor, and become equipped to deal with out-of-hospital cardiac emergencies efficiently. To register for a class, contact CPR Tampa at 727-240-9404. Train under the best with us.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Risks, Types and Causes of Atrial Flutter and CPR Classes in Palm Harbor

Atrial flutter is a problem when the atria of the ticker beats rapidly and regularly due to an anomaly of the ticker’s electrical system that usually results in a tachycardia (an abnormally fast heart rate). An individual with the condition may get feelings like near-fainting, rapid heartbeats (palpitations), mild shortness of breath and fatigue. During atrial flutter, the ticker beats extra fast about 250-400 beats per minute. This type of arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) can be dangerous because complications can easily develop, and a normal heartbeat is 60-100 beats per minute. Atrial fibrillation is another arrhythmia that atrial flutter is closely related to. Atrial Flutter Types : 1.       Persistent atrial flutter which is more or less permanent. 2.       Paroxysmal atrial flutter which can come and go. An atrial flutter episode usually lasts hours or days. Risks: The main danger is that your ticker doesn’t p...
Post a Comment
Read more

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Algorithms for Respiratory and Cardiac Arrests

  Introduction Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) algorithms provide healthcare providers with systematic approaches to managing respiratory and cardiac emergencies in children. These evidence-based protocols are designed to optimize outcomes by offering clear, sequential steps for assessment and intervention during critical situations. Understanding and implementing PALS algorithms correctly can be the difference between life and death for pediatric patients experiencing respiratory distress or cardiac arrest. The Importance of PALS Algorithms in Pediatric Care Respiratory and cardiac emergencies in children differ significantly from those in adults. Children have unique anatomical and physiological characteristics that influence how they respond to respiratory failure and cardiac arrest. For instance, respiratory issues frequently precede cardiac arrest in pediatric patients, unlike in adults, where primary cardiac events are more common. PALS algorithms account for these dif...
Post a Comment
Read more

Understanding the Consequences of Incomplete Chest Recoil in CPR

  When it comes to performing effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), most people focus on the compression depth and rate. However, an equally crucial but often overlooked aspect is chest recoil. The quality of chest recoil during CPR can make the difference between life and death for cardiac arrest victims. This article explores what chest recoil is, why it matters, and the serious consequences of incomplete chest recoil during resuscitation efforts. What Is Chest Recoil in CPR? Chest recoil refers to the return of the chest wall to its natural, expanded position after each compression during CPR. During cardiac arrest, the heart stops pumping blood effectively throughout the body. CPR manually takes over this function through a two-part process: Compression phase : Pushing down on the chest to squeeze the heart and force blood out to vital organs Recoil phase : Completely releasing pressure to allow the chest to return to its resting position This second phase—the complete...
Post a Comment
Read more