Heart Care for a Hale and Hearty Old Age
Old Age.
The time when one has relatively fewer responsibilities.
The time when the body’s physical capabilities start diminishing.
The time when body sends signals that one must take due care of his health.
Cardiovascular heart diseases affect a major chunk of the Indian elderly population. A senior citizen’s heart is at the risk of malfunctioning and a family history of heart disease, gender and ethnicity also increases the risk of cardiovascular ailments. Ageing causes heart and blood vessels to stiffen which may give birth to various heart diseases like high blood pressure, chest pain, heart attack or stroke. However, the key to safeguard your heart health is still in your hands.
Let’s unlock the doors opening to a healthy heart: –
Ensure regular health check-ups
High blood pressure, cholesterol levels & diabetes are considered as the major risk factors of heart diseases. You are more prone to experience these health issues in senior years. So, you should have screenings about these problems every year to ensure great heart health.
Maintain healthy weight
Obesity can also give birth to heart ailments as medical experts link this problem with other contributing factors of cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure and cholesterol & diabetes. Hence, you should consider weight loss if you are obese.
Manage stress
Countering stress must top your list in senior years if you wish to avoid cardiovascular problems as extreme stress can trigger a heart attack. Indulging in overeating, heavy drinking and smoking to cope with stress also damage your heart health. So, you need to avoid them and take solace in exercise & meditation.
Have healthy diet
Healthy diet also plays a significant role in your quest to prevent heart diseases during senior years. Diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grain can boost your cardiovascular health. Incorporating low-fat or fat-free dairy products, beans, fish and lean meat in your diet is also ideal. Moreover, you should avoid having too much sugar and salt in the meals.
Listen to the body
Recognizing the symptoms and taking early action is crucial to ensure amazing heart health at any age. So, you must listen to your body and get in touch with a cardiologist if the below signs trouble you:-
- Heart palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Leg swelling
- Unexplained fatigue
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Change in exercise tolerance
Quit smoking and alcohol
Smoking and drinking alcohol up your blood pressure and you face higher risk of a heart attack or stroke. Alcohol consumption adds extra calories to your diet and can cause weight gain. Quitting these habits are beneficial for your heart health.
Sleep well
Lack of sleep gives rise to stress, high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes. Having sleep apnea also doesn’t let the sufferer sleep well and it increases the risk of heart disease. So, you should get 7 to 9 hours of sleep every day to prevent cardiovascular diseases, especially in senior years.
Exercise
Exercising every day also strengthens your heart by improving blood circulation. You can also curb weight, blood pressure and cholesterol by working out. So, you should indulge in some moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes 4-5 times a week to power-up your heart health at old age.
Senescence is a phase to be enjoyed when you can watch your grandchildren play and hang out with your friends without worrying about bills or food on the table. Let your age not become a burden with diseases lurking near you. Ensure timely health checkups and healthy lifestyle habits for blissful senior years.
