Is Your Senior Parent At Risk For Heart Disease?

Heart disease is one of the most common illnesses among seniors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approximately 47% of adults aged 60 and older have some form of cardiovascular disease. This includes conditions like coronary artery disease, heart failure, and arrhythmias.

The American Heart Association reports that more than 80% of people aged 65 and older have at least one risk factor for heart disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes. That’s why it’s so important that your senior parent gets checked for heart disease if they have any of the common risk factors.

Seniors who have heart disease can often live quite comfortably at home, if they have home care. Home care provides extra support to seniors that are living with a chronic illness. A home care provider is a trusted friend who can help your mom or dad with everyday tasks, shopping and running errands, and making sure they take their medication.

If your mom or dad has any of these common risk factors for heart disease, talk to them about getting a checkup and getting screened for heart disease. Early prevention is the key to helping seniors live well with heart disease.

High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is one of the biggest risk factors for heart disease in seniors. As people age, their blood vessels become stiffer, which can cause an increase in blood pressure.

Hypertension puts additional strain on the heart, making it work harder to pump blood throughout the body. Over time, this can lead to heart enlargement, weakened heart muscles, and even heart failure.

If your senior parent has a sedentary lifestyle, a family history of high blood pressure, or is overweight they should get checked by a doctor to make sure they don’t have heart disease.

High Cholesterol

Having high cholesterol is another risk factor of heart disease that seniors should be aware of. As seniors age, their cholesterol levels tend to rise, particularly if they have a diet high in saturated fats, are overweight, or are inactive.

High cholesterol can cause the arteries to become clogged, leading to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. If your mom or dad has high cholesterol home care can help them make changes to their diet and lifestyle to manage it.

Diabetes

Diabetes significantly increases the risk of heart disease because high blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and nerves that control the heart.

Seniors with diabetes are more likely to have high blood pressure and high cholesterol, both of which are major risk factors for heart disease. If your mom or dad has diabetes, home care can be a great resource to help them manage their diabetes and lower their risk of heart disease and other complications.

Obesity

Obesity also increases the risk that your mom or dad will develop heart disease. Obesity can also lead to inflammation and stress on the heart, causing it to work harder.

Seniors who are obese often don’t get a lot of physical activity, which can make the risk of developing cardiovascular problems higher. Home care can help your mom or dad eat a better diet, move as much as possible, and monitor their health.

Reference
https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/risk-factors-for-heart-disease

If you or an aging loved one is considering home care in Sun Lakes, AZ, please call the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Scottsdale at (480) 284-7360. We are here to help!