Living a long and meaningful life, particularly for older persons, requires maintaining heart health. The process of getting older makes our hearts more vulnerable to ailments, including hypertension, heart disease, and stroke.
The American Heart Association revealed that almost 80% of adults 65 years of age and older suffer from a cardiovascular illness of some kind. Age significantly raises one’s risk of heart illness, including heart failure and coronary artery disease. In the United States, people aged 65 and above suffer from over 70% of heart failure cases.
Fortunately, most of the time, you can avoid heart disease or a procedure like aortic valve stenosis treatment by adopting healthier lifestyle choices. If you are 65 years of age or older, this article is for you. Continue reading as we take through some vital tips to maintain heart health as you get older.
1. Stick to a diet that’s good for your heart
For older people, a well-balanced diet high in heart-healthy foods is essential. Several experts have suggested that healthy eating habits are strongly associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Foods rich in fibre, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids are very healthy for older people.
Eating a range of fruits, vegetables, nutritious grains, and lean proteins also impacts the heart in particular. Curtailing heart-related problems also requires limiting the consumption of carbohydrates, salt, and saturated fats.
Additionally, incorporating diet shakes in a balanced diet can be a convenient and effective energy. Opting for heart-healthy diet shakes in Australia that are low in added sugars and rich in fibre can help you maintain cardiovascular wellness.
2. Stay clear of smoking
Smoking stands tall among the most avoidable causes of death. Not only can it exacerbate pre-existing heart disease risk factors, it can also increase your
chance of heart disease and heart attacks. Smoking destroys the walls of your arteries, but over time, stopping can reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer, even if you quit later in life.
3. Drink more water
Drinking enough water is vital for keeping the heart healthy. Consuming enough fluids facilitates the heart’s easier pumping of blood to the muscles via the blood arteries. It also helps to maintain the right electrolyte balance, which is necessary for heart health. Older people should drink plenty of water because their bodies are less able to hold onto water and because they might not experience thirst until dehydration has taken hold.
Throughout the day, in addition to water, you might think about drinking fruit-infused water or other hydrating drinks. Another useful technique to make sure you’re getting enough water in your system is to watch the colour of your pee. Clear or light yellow urine usually indicates appropriate water intake.
4. Keep to a healthy body weight
Your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, respiratory problems, and several types of cancer increases with your body fat percentage. However, reducing weight can aid in raising your general health and lower a lot of these levels. For most adults, a body mass index (BMI) of 18.5 to 24.9 indicates a healthy weight. Consult your physician about what your ideal BMI is. Being physically active and adhering to a heart-healthy diet will assist you in reaching and maintaining a healthy weight.
5. Prioritize sleep
Inadequate or inadequate sleep can cause metabolic disturbances, hypertension, and heightened inflammatory responses in the body, all of which might escalate the risk of cardiovascular ailments. Elderly people should aim for eight hours of good sleep every night, according to Medicare.com. Creating a nighttime routine, avoiding too much coffee during
the day, and thinking about having a quick nap during the day can all help you get better sleep.
6. Avoid any form of stress
We all deal with stress in unique ways. Studies have linked higher levels of stress to angina or a heart attack. High blood pressure and other heart disease risk factors can also potentially be exacerbated by stress. As you become older, chronic stress can have an adverse effect on your immune system, memory, learning, anxiety, and depression.
Discuss your worries with a loved one, your primary care physician, or a licensed therapist if you’re experiencing stress. Maintain a nutritious diet, exercise frequently, and practice calming methods like yoga, tai chi, or meditation.
7. Recognize the risk factors you have for heart disease
Many factors influence your risk—some are modifiable, such as eating a healthy diet and exercising, while others are not. If you smoke, have prediabetes or diabetes, are overweight or obese, have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, or any combination of these conditions, your risk may increase.
Frequent screenings and health examinations can help detect risk factors like diabetes, high cholesterol, or hypertension, which you can manage with early intervention. Seeking regular medical attention from a professional also gives you the chance to voice any concerns and modify your treatment plan as necessary.
Final Thoughts
There’s no age restriction to starting a heart-healthy lifestyle. Getting on the suggestions we’ve discussed above as early as possible can help lower your chance of developing heart disease. Your quality of life and lifespan, as well as your overall happiness and well-being, will also witness a significant improvement.