How seniors can prevent heart disease and live healthier lives – Orange County Register

from dr Daniel H LaMont,

Contributing Author

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in adults.

And for older adults, there’s even greater cause for concern, as about 21.7% of American adults age 65 and older reported having coronary artery disease, stroke, or both, according to the Centers for Disease Control and prevention.

Older adults are statistically more likely to have heart disease for many reasons. Plaque rupture, atrial fibrillation, loss of vascular compliance, obesity, hypertension and diabetes all contribute to this increased incidence of cardiovascular disease.

The National Council on Aging points out that heart disease is a broad term that encompasses a variety of conditions, such as: B. coronary heart disease, irregular heartbeat, problems with the heart valves, problems with the heart muscle and hereditary (congenital) defects.

According to the American Heart Association, about 80% of deaths from heart disease occur in people who are 65 years of age or older. Death from cardiovascular disease is 10 times more common among seniors than any other cause of death. No matter how old you get, knowing your heart disease risk factors is the first step to preventing — or reversing heart disease — and helping you live longer.

Know your risk for heart disease

There are many behavioral factors that can contribute to putting an older adult at risk for heart disease. But it’s important to know that even as you get older, you can still work to minimize risk factors. So don’t give up! The main risk factors for heart disease include:

• High blood pressure.
• High cholesterol.
• Smoking.
• Obesity.
• Diabetes.
• lack of physical activity.
• Bad eating habits.

Another factor that increases the risk of heart disease in older adults is genetics. It is important to understand and know your family history of heart disease. Genetic factors sometimes play a role when it comes to high blood pressure, heart disease, and other related conditions. And when genetic risks are combined with unhealthy lifestyle choices, it can greatly increase the risk of heart disease.

Know the symptoms of heart disease

Symptoms are not always apparent in the early stages of heart disease, especially in older adults. Because older adults tend to have more pain, please do not minimize any of these symptoms and always talk to your doctor if you experience the onset of any of these symptoms with exertion:

• Chest, shoulder, arm, neck, jaw, or back pain or pressure.
• Shortness of breath when active or lying down.
• drowsiness when standing up.
• Dizziness or imbalance when walking.
• Confusion.
• Headache.
• Easy onset of fatigue.
• Swelling in ankles, feet, legs, stomach and/or neck.
• Intermittent weakness or numbness in an arm or leg.
• Intermittent vision loss in one eye.
• Intermittent slurred speech.

It’s important to see your doctor regularly to make sure your heart is healthy and to catch early signs of heart disease.

Prevent or reduce risks?

Heart disease detected early is much easier to treat and manage than at a later stage. For example, it’s easier to take a walk around your house if you don’t have an oxygen tank with you.

Here are some things you can do now to lower your risk of heart disease:

• Be more active: Start by walking around the house, working in the garden, doing water aerobics, and checking out what classes your local senior center might be offering. Talk to your doctor about the activities that work best for you.
• Quit Smoking: If you’re still smoking, it’s time to quit. There are many smoking cessation classes specifically for seniors.
• Eat a healthy diet: Follow a heart-healthy diet by eating more fruits, vegetables, and high-fiber foods. I’m sure you still have some of your favorite cakes or dishes that might not be that healthy, but try to limit these to special occasions.
• Stay hydrated: Seniors dehydrate faster than anyone else – as we get older, our bodies begin to dehydrate more; You can notice it in your skin and hair. But seniors really should aim to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day.
• Reduce your alcohol consumption: Alcohol can have a declining effect when combined with medications, so it’s important not to drink as much as you get older.
• Manage your stress: Stress in older adults can manifest itself in more physical ways, such as B. Headaches and insomnia – so keep that in mind.
• Control Your Diabetes: Follow your doctor’s advice to manage diabetes by taking prescribed medications as directed.
• Check your blood pressure and/or cholesterol levels: Don’t forget that it’s important to take medication. But lifestyle changes can always help you. Light exercise and avoiding saturated fats or trans fats can significantly improve your health.

It’s never too late to take care of your heart. Regardless of your age, it’s important to get regular check-ups and ask your doctor if regular cardiovascular screening and risk-reduction visits are right for you. Along with a healthy lifestyle, cardiac exams can help detect heart disease early—when it’s most manageable.

dr Daniel Lamont is a cardiologist at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center and has been in practice for 20 years. He graduated from Brown University Medical School in 1991 and specializes in cardiology and interventional cardiology.