Putting heart health first becomes more and more important with age. However, knowing what steps to take might not come naturally. This is where elder care and loved ones come in, offering support and encouragement as seniors navigate how to improve their heart health.
What Things Should Seniors Ask Their Doctor Regarding Heart Health?
While each situation is different, there are a few common questions that seniors should ask their doctors regarding heart health.
Q: How healthy is my heart right now?
Determining current heart health is important. The answer provides seniors with the information they need to either continue what they’re doing or create a plan that improves heart health.
Q: What makes me more likely to get heart disease?
Finding out about risk factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, being overweight, or a history of heart disease in the family can help seniors take better care of their health.
Q: What changes can I make to your life to make it better for my heart?
A doctor can give seniors specific advice on how to eat, exercise, deal with stress, and stop smoking. Additionally, elder care can assist with creating healthy meal plans as well as ensuring seniors stay active throughout the day.
Q: What kinds of checks or screenings should I get regularly?
Regular tests, such as blood pressure checks, cholesterol checks, and heart function checks, can help seniors keep an eye on their heart health and find problems early.
Q: What medications do I need to take, and how should I take them?
If seniors are prescribed medicine, it’s good to know exactly what the medication is for, what it is for, and any possible side effects.
Q: Which of these are signs of a heart attack or stroke, and what should I do if I notice them?
Knowing how to spot signs like chest pain, shortness of breath, stiffness, or weakness and when to get medical help right away could save their lives. Additionally, this gives seniors confidence that they can spot warning signs when elder care or loved ones aren’t around.
Daily Heart Health Tips for Seniors
Once seniors have the answers to the above questions, they’re better able to focus on any improvements they need to make for heart health. Tips that help along the way are included below:
- Focus on a heart-healthy diet: It’s best to eat a healthy, balanced diet full of fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. As mentioned above, elder care can help create healthy meal plans as well as prep and cook when needed.
- Keep moving: Seniors should aim to work out at a reasonable level for at least 30 minutes most days of the week. Again, elder care can encourage them to remain active throughout the day, but they can also do exercises with seniors to make the activity more enjoyable.
- Get a good night’s rest: Sleep should be a priority for seniors. Loved ones can help make sure their bedroom is comfortable, and elder care can work with them to create an effective bedtime routine.
It’s important for seniors to take charge of their heart health, and the best way to do that is to make heart-healthy choices and have an open dialogue with their medical team. Once they have the information they need, home care and loved ones can help them work toward better heart health.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Elder Care in Benbrook, TX, please contact the caring staff at Clear Path Home Care today at (817) 631-7710
Clear Path Home Care provides compassionate, high-quality home care in Bosque County, Hill County, Navarro County, Henderson County, Erath County, Somervell County, Johnson County, Ellis County, Parker County, Tarrant County, Dallas County, Kaufman County, Rains County, Hood County, VanZandt County, and Rockwall County in Texas.
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