Everyone should be concerned about their heart health. Most people don’t think about their heart health until it causes them problems. By then, in some cases, it is too late. However, you can help your elderly loved one to make some small changes to their lifestyle. These changes could make all the difference in their heart health. Keep reading here today to find out what changes would be beneficial for your elderly loved one.
Managing Their Blood Pressure
One of the first things that your elderly loved one should do is to check their blood pressure regularly. If your elderly loved one won’t remember to do this, you or caregivers can do it for them. If they have high blood pressure, it is important to know that could increase their risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or another type of heart disease. It is important for your elderly loved one to manage their blood pressure. They might need medications for this from their doctor. They may also need to de-stress and find other ways to relax. They can also eat blood pressure reducing foods.
Cholesterol Management
Your elderly loved one should also pay attention to their cholesterol. People who have high cholesterol often have plaque buildup. This can clog the arteries and cause heart disease and/or strokes. You and caregivers can help your elderly loved one to manage and control their cholesterol. By eating healthy, exercising, and possibly taking medications, your elderly loved one can get their cholesterol back to healthier levels.
Reducing Blood Sugar
A lot of food that people eat turns into glucose (blood sugar). The body needs that glucose to make energy. With this being said, over time, having too high of blood sugar can cause damage to the heart and other areas of the body. It is important that your elderly loved one manages their blood sugar. Being sure their blood sugar is at healthy levels can significantly reduce their risk of having a stroke, heart disease, or other health issues.
Conclusion
As long as your elderly loved one is active, eating right, maintaining their weight, and taking medications that their doctor gives them, they should be able to improve their heart health. In addition, they should regularly check their blood pressure. They should know their cholesterol and blood sugar levels, too. If they aren’t going to remember to check on these things, you or caregivers can help them to do so.
Sources
https://health.gov/myhealthfinder/topics/health-conditions/heart-health/keep-your-heart-healthy
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE IS CONSIDERING CAREGIVERS IN CLAYTON, NC, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT SENIORS HELPING SENIORS TODAY. CALL (919) 761-5346.