It is vital that a healthcare provider monitor your heart health and medications. Flu and pneumonia are especially dangerous for people with heart failure. Be sure you are immunized and avoid people with communicable diseases.

Eat a healthy diet. Our bodies need the right vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to stay healthy. A heart healthy diet includes: whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and low-fat milk products. Cholesterol and saturated fat contribute to coronary artery disease, a major cause of heart failure.

Cut down on sodium salt ; look for lows odium or no-salt added products; such as: soup, canned vegetables, snack food and lunch meats. Add more fibre to your diet by eating plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables, and whole grains.

The same amount of alcohol can have a greater effect on an older adult than on someone who is younger. Alcoholic beverages can weaken the heart and may interact negatively with your medications. If you drink alcohol, discuss safe levels of alcohol intake with your healthcare provider.

Older adults are more likely to have health problems that can become more serious with alcohol. Some examples of these conditions are stroke, high blood pressure, memory loss, and mood disorders.

Lifestyle changes can be challenging but are crucial in reducing the risk of developing heart disease. Regular exercise and healthy eating habits can effectively lower blood pressure levels while managing stress and getting adequate sleep can also contribute to overall heart health.

Read Fall Prevention Guide. Learn about Tai Chi for Seniors. Learn about Fitness for Seniors. The information you provide here is used only by Lifeline.

It is never sold to or shared with third parties. Heart Health Tips for Seniors Recommendations for better heart health Download this Free Printable Guide. Why is heart health important?

What is Heart Disease? They can include: Coronary artery disease, also called coronary heart disease CHD is the narrowing of the arteries Heart attack Abnormal heart rhythms or arrythmias Heart failure Heart valve disease Congenital heart disease Heart muscle disease cardiomyopathy Pericardial disease Aorta disease and Marfan syndrome Vascular disease blood vessel disease.

What are the risk factors of Cardiovascular Disease? Heart health tips that every senior should know Simple lifestyle changes will go a long way towards lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels and improving overall heart health. Exercise regularly Regular aerobic exercise can help the heart pump more efficiently and can help you maintain a healthy weight by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure.

Maintain a healthy weight Being overweight or obese can increase your risk of heart disease. Take steps to quit smoking Cigarette smoking damages blood vessels and puts extra strain on your heart and cardiovascular health, therefore greatly increasing your risk for heart disease. If you do smoke, call 1 for guidance.

Consult a professional It is vital that a healthcare provider monitor your heart health and medications. Keep all your appointments and be prepared to ask questions. Tennis and pickleball are amazing heart-healthy games for seniors because, when played regularly, they can help the heart become stronger — mostly due to the great workout your heart receives during the game.

According to a study done by the International Journal of Research in Exercise Physiology , older adults who play at least one hour of pickleball three days a week saw improved:. Movement related heart-healthy activities for seniors are essential, but some non-movement related activities are vital to:.

Eating a heart-healthy diet can not only help fight cardiovascular disease, but it can help you or your loved one:.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , adequate sleep is a vital part of maintaining a healthy heart. In fact, one study found that those who got less than six hours of sleep per night had a 20 percent higher chance of having a heart attack.

A regular sleep schedule helps the body restore and recharge, lowering the risk of heart attacks, heart disease, strokes, and diabetes. If you, or your loved one, is above the age of 65, seven to eight hours of sleep is ideal for your overall health.

Even after age 60, it is possible to see the benefits of improved health when you decrease tobacco and alcohol usage.

Senior living often comes with a stigma of decreased independence and activity — at Senior Services of America communities, this is far from true. Our facilities encourage seniors to stay active and have health and wellness programs in place to help keep you, or your loved one, active and healthy.

Our staff is here to help you, or your loved one, find heart-healthy activities and make health-conscious choices that not only improve their physical well-being but their mental well-being, too. Find your nearest community today to learn more about our facilities and the range of amenities we have to offer.

Contact Senior Services Of America How May We Help You? Get Directions. First Name Required. Email Required. Continue READing. Curious about what you, or your loved one, can do to maintain a healthy heart?

Table of Contents Is it Ever Too Late to Strengthen Your Heart? Keep Your Body Moving as You Age With These 12 Heart-Healthy Activities for Seniors 3 Heart-Healthy Water Activities for Seniors 3 Heart-Healthy Indoor Activities for Seniors 3 Heart-Healthy Outdoor Activities for Seniors 3 Non-Movement Related Activities to Keep Senior Hearts Healthy Looking for a Senior Living Facility That Will Help Keep You Active and Healthy?

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How many steps do you walk each day? Dooley and her team analyzed data in adults ages 70 and older who wore a tracking device at the hip that measured their daily steps for three or more days.

The average step count among the participants was 3, steps per day. Researchers followed the subjects for 3.

Compared with older adults who walked less than 2, steps per day, individuals who took 4, or more steps had a 77 percent lower risk of heart troubles. Serra was not involved in the study. Each year, about , people die from heart disease in the United States, accounting for 1 in every 5 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC.

Age is a major risk factor for heart disease , as adults ages 65 and older are much more likely to have heart issues, including heart attack, stroke, and heart failure , notes the National Institute on Aging NIA.

This limits the blood flow to your organs and leads to hypertension , or high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease, he explains. The heart needs to work harder to pump blood, and over time, it may no longer be able to keep up with the demand.

The heart muscle may become weaker or damaged, resulting in heart failure. Pillars of good heart health include a healthy diet, not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and being physically active. Despite the increased risk for heart disease, older adults can reduce their risk by keeping these healthy habits and making sure their blood pressure, cholesterol, and sugar levels are under control.

Getting 10, steps per day, comparable to five miles, is often recommended, but Dooley notes this may not be achievable for adults 70 and over.

Sakr says. He notes that there are many other ways older adults can get in exercise, including cycling or stationary bikes, swimming, and water aerobics.

Other activities you may enjoy doing include gardening, dancing, or practicing yoga, which are excellent ways to get your body moving. The CDC recommends people 65 and older get at least minutes of moderate physical activity, such as brisk walking, per week. Limit your intake of saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol by avoiding red meat and processed foods.

Add whole grains, fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean cuts of poultry and fish instead. Meanwhile, switch to a fiber-rich diet that includes whole grains, nuts, legumes, fruits, and vegetables.

Add enough colorful fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, broccoli, tomatoes, pomegranates, oranges, berries, etc. into the diet. Antioxidants in these fruits and vegetables combat inflammation that contributes to heart disease. Read more: Top 5 Superfoods for a Healthy Heart. Smoking can cause severe damage to the artery walls and lead to heart attacks.

Even inhaling secondhand smoke is extremely harmful. It increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases by lowering the oxygen supply to the heart. Furthermore, smoking cigarettes increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes by causing blood clots.

Read More: 7 Habits for Healthy Living. In addition, alcohol consumption can result in elevated heart rate and blood pressure. Therefore, it weakens the heart muscle and causes arrhythmia.

T he American Heart Association has stated that psychological health is directly associated with heart disease. Chronic or long-lasting stress can trigger a heart attack or angina in the elderly. Stress can increase inflammation in the body, which negatively affects the arteries.

Therefore, it increases the risk of high blood pressure, hypertension, and other risk factors associated with heart disease.

Additionally , stress has also been recognized as a risk factor for cardiomyopathy. It is a progressive disease that weakens the heart muscle and results in severe cardiovascular events. Try medit ation, explore ho bbies, indulge in social activiti es , or join support groups to reduce the impact of stressful events in life.

Night-time sleep is vital for the body to recuperate. Often referred to as nocturnal dipping, this process reduces the risk of hypertension in seniors. Read More: Common Sleep Problems and Solutions for the Elderly. In addition, adequate sleep can slow down the heart rate and stabilize the breathing rhythm.

It enables the heart to recover from strain and reduces stress. No matter how healthy a senior is, checking blood sugar, blood pressure , and cholesterol levels at regular intervals is a must.

These are the major risk factors contributing to heart disease. But the numbers are easily manageable with a proper diet, exercise, and medication. Monitor the numbers to reduce the risk of diabetes, stroke , and other health issues.

An effective measure to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease among the elderly is managing the risk factors.

Having multiple chronic conditions can significantly increase the risk factors for older adults. Healthcare professionals can monitor individual health and provide vital guidance to manage conditions including diet and lifestyle modifications. Maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system is the key to ensuring a healthy lifestyle for seniors.

Heart disease is not entirely preventable as the heart muscles also age with time. But it is necessary to keep the risk factors in control to prevent additional health issues and advanced medical conditions like strokes. Always look out for symptoms , follow these healthy heart tips , and never delay check-ups.

Contact EliteCare Health Centers, one of the best medical clinics in Florida , offering a wide range of senior care services including venipuncture, blood tests, routine physical exams, etc.

Consult our board-certified primary care physicians to make an exercise schedule and diet plans for optimum results. Understanding nuanced differences.

Heart disease is a prevalent concern among seniors, requiring specific attention. In this fast-paced and competitive world, stress has become a constant companion in our daily lives.

Beyond its immediate impact on our mental well-being, stress. About Us Our Services Our Physicians Blogs Events Upcoming Past Locations Newsletters Menu.

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