The heart is an important part of our bodies’ functioning and our overall wellbeing. It’s no wonder there’s an entire month dedicated to it! February is American Heart Month, a time to celebrate the heart and learn more about how it works and when it might be in danger. Our hearts change as we age, which can change your risk factors for certain conditions and even the symptoms you experience. Even the tips for encouraging heart health can change as we age. To celebrate American Heart Month, we’re sharing what you need to know about heart health and heart healthy habits as you age.
Heart Health Basics for Older Adults
The body goes through a lot of changes as we age and the heart is no exception. Some conditions are more likely to affect older adults and other times the symptoms and severity are different. Being aware of what some of these conditions are can help you more easily recognize when something might not be right. It’s important to have regular visits with your doctor so they can catch any issues with your heart as early as possible.
Heart Disease
One of the most common, and broadest, conditions affecting the heart is heart disease. This is an umbrella term that’s used to describe multiple conditions that are forms of heart disease. Examples of heart disease include coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, arrythmia (irregular heartbeat), and heart failure. Changes in things like blood pressure and cholesterol as we age are one of the reasons heart disease becomes more common. In fact, congestive heart failure (CHF) is 10 times more likely in adults over the age of 75.
Heart Attack
It may be no surprise that the risk of heart attack increases as we age. While there are lifestyle factors that can increase your risk, such as smoking, age is one of the biggest factors. Similar to heart disease, changes with blood pressure and cholesterol are one of the reasons the chance for heart attack can increase with age. Regular visits to your doctor can help you know what your risk factors are and potentially make lifestyle changes, such as exercising, to decrease your risk.
Stroke
You may think of a stroke as a brain condition. While it does occur in the brain, it is the result of issues with blood supply to the brain. There can be many different risk factors for stroke, including lifestyle factors such as smoking and diet. However, age is also a big factor. After 55, the likelihood of a stroke doubles every decade.
Heart Healthy Habits
Age is an important, unavoidable factor in many heart conditions. However, there are many other factors that can increase or decrease your risk of heart conditions that are controllable.
Diet
What you eat can have a big impact on how you feel mentally and physically. It’s not just in your head though. What you eat can affect your health – and it’s more than just your weight. Eating too much of foods high in things like fat or sodium can lead to issues with things like blood pressure and cholesterol which are risk factors for heart conditions. Eating a balanced diet is important at any age. But especially as you get older, eating a balanced diet can help you keep your heart healthy.
Exercise
Like diet, exercise is important at any age. Being sedentary, or sitting too often, can increase your risk of many heart conditions. Exercising for your heart doesn’t mean you have to go to a gym every day or run a marathon. Little things, like walking around the block or taking the stairs instead of the elevator can help with your heart health.
Mental and social activity
Staying mentally and socially active as we age can have a positive affect on our mental, emotional, and social wellbeing. Things like talking to a friend, going grocery shopping, and dinner with loved ones can boost your mood and energy which also improve your heart health and overall wellbeing.
Senior Living and Heart Health
Senior living makes it easy to prioritize your heart health.
Dining
We’ve already discussed the importance of a balanced diet on heart health. This is one of the biggest ways that senior living can be a benefit to your heart health. Whether it’s independent or assisted living, or skilled nursing or memory care, dining is a big part of the senior living experience. Most communities offer a wide variety of choices on their menu. It makes it easy to eat a balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, and protein while still indulging in your favorite fried food or sweat treat every once in a while.
Fitness Activities
Fitness activities at a senior living community are a great way to combine exercise and social activity. Getting exercise is way more fun when you’re doing it with friends. Most senior living communities offer a fitness center or gym that you can use on your own and do the exercises you prefer. They may even have a personal trainer available to help you. Many communities also offer various fitness-related events such as stretching classes, exercise bingo, and tai chi.
Social life
Staying mentally and socially active is good for every aspect of your wellbeing. It’s also one of the greatest benefits of moving to a senior living community. The activities and events vary from one community to the next, but you’ll frequently find they offer a full calendar of things to choose from so there’s always something to do! Many popular options include things like painting or other art classes, game nights, movies, happy hours, concerts, and dinner outings.
National Wear Red Day
February 7th is National Wear Red Day. As part of American Heart Month, its goal is to raise awareness specifically for women’s heart health. Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death for women and the symptoms of a heart attack in women are much lesser known. National Wear Red Day is a chance to raise awareness for heart disease and heart attack in women. Make sure you wear red to celebrate and bring awareness!
At The Ohio Masonic Communities, we value heart health. If you want to learn more about how senior living can encourage healthy heart habits, we’d love to hear from you. Give us a call at 1 (877) 881-1623 or contact us here. The Ohio Masonic Communities offers assisted living at three senior living communities across the state of Ohio – Browning Masonic Community in Waterville, Ohio, Springfield Masonic Community in Springfield, Ohio, and Western Reserve Masonic Community in Medina, Ohio.