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How to Celebrate American Heart Month

By Jessica Deng

February is designated as American Heart Month and it serves as a great reminder to everyone to take care of our hearts in all stages of life.  Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. and a condition that is highly affecting the elderly population.When it comes to heart health, everyone needs to take steps to ensure a healthier lifestyle and quality of life. Many risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, an unhealthy diet and lifestyle, excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, smoking, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol can lead to cardiovascular diseases and heart attacks. This month is a great time to improve your heart health and help raise awareness in your community to commit to a healthy lifestyle and make small changes that can lead to a lifetime of positive heart health.Below, you’ll find ways to celebrate American Heart Month and lifestyle changes you can make to improve your heart health:

• Stay on top of your health
  • It’s important to stay on top of your health. Be sure to schedule regular checkups with your doctor to monitor your blood pressure, other vital signs, and symptoms of any diseases. During your routine check-ups and preventative care, your doctor will check for risk factors that may impact your heart health. Your check-up may include:
    • Taking your blood pressure
    • Check your cholesterol with a blood test
    • Talking about lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, or increasing physical activity.
• Quit smoking
  • Quitting smoking is the best thing that can be done for the heart and for overall health. Cigarette smoking can damage your heart. It can also harm the blood vessels that deliver oxygen to your heart.
• Be Socially Active
  • Social activity plays a vital role in keeping the senior heart healthy. Sometimes, it can be a challenge for the elderly to be socially active which is why it’s important for seniors to connect with friends or an activity group. This can reduce stress lower blood pressure and fight depression because seniors will not feel isolated and alone.
• Get Physically Active
  • Physical activity not only helps to prevent cardiovascular disease but can also improve overall mental and physical health. For seniors, it only takes 20-30 minutes of moderate activity to help lower blood pressure and improve heart health.
• Smile
  • A happy heart is a healthy heart. When you make time for enjoyable activities and hobbies, it helps relieve stress and improves the overall mood, providing a good foundation for a heart-healthy lifestyle.

American Heart Month is a perfect time to ensure that your aging loved ones are involved in a heart-healthy lifestyle. LifeWorx has a pool of excellent caregivers that are happy to take care of seniors with heart disease in the comfort of their own homes. Contact us today for a free consultation.