February is Heart Month, when health experts want us all to remember to put our heart health on the front burner.
Caregivers can help their senior loved ones remember they are never too old to adopt and maintain heart healthy habits.
Heart disease is the number one killer in America. Heart attack, hypertension and stroke affect many of our seniors.
The unfortunate reality is that heart disease is often preventable.
Tips for Building Heart Healthy Habits
Family caregivers can help senior loved ones (and themselves) reduce their risk for heart disease by adopting habits that will keep them heart healthy.
Here are a few habits seniors and caregivers should learn:
- Know the warning signs of heart disease, (fatigue, short of breath, indigestion, sweating, irregular heart beat) which often appear before a heart attack occurs.
- Know your numbers. Learn from your blood work so you know what lifestyle changes will improve your personal health.
- Take any prescribed medication correctly, according to the doctor’s orders.
- Get moving with an activity you love and will do regularly.
- Stop smoking!
- Eat a healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains.
Additional Resources
We have a few other articles that caregivers will find helpful making heart healthy lifestyle improvements for themselves and their senior loved ones.