February is American Heart Month. This month is dedicated to promoting heart health and raising awareness about cardiovascular diseases. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US, but it is preventable and manageable through lifestyle changes.
Aging contributes to changes in the heart and blood vessels, putting individuals age 65 and older at an increased risk for heart disease. Managing a heart-healthy lifestyle becomes increasingly crucial in maintaining overall well-being for older adults. As we navigate this heart month, LifeStream will share practical tips to empower you to embrace heart health with informed choices and positive lifestyle changes. Try to incorporate some of the following tips into your lifestyle for improved heart health:
Create a Balanced Diet
Consume a heart-healthy diet with fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Limit saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, and sodium intake. Bring out your creative side and try new recipes! If you need guidance or support in your nutrition habits, LifeStream’s nutrition programs offer a variety of options to suit your needs. Click here to see our café meal sites, home-delivered meals, senior safety nets, and more.
Manage Stress and Regular Physical Activity
Incorporate stress management techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or gentle yoga into your daily routine. Chronic stress can contribute to heart issues, so finding effective stress reduction strategies is important. Stress can weigh heavily on everyone but especially our caregivers. If you’re a caregiver in need of help or stress management, our caregiver programs are here to support you. Click here to see what our caregiver programs can offer you.
Physical activity can also improve heart health—engage in regular exercises like walking, swimming, or low-impact aerobics to keep your heart active and healthy. LifeStream’s wellness programs offer a number of classes that cater to different goals and needs. Click here to see which wellness classes could benefit you.
Quit Smoking
Smokers are up to 4x more likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke compared to nonsmokers. The chemicals in tobacco smoke harm your heart and blood vessels in many ways. Quitting is hard, but it has immediate and long-term benefits. Set a quit date and let those close to you know about your goal—you can succeed in quitting with the right motivation and support.
Visit betobaccofree.hhs.gov and smokefree.gov for free resources to help you connect with others trying to quit smoking.
Maintain Regular Check-ups
Schedule regular check-ups with healthcare providers to monitor blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and overall heart health. Be sure to follow prescribed medications and discuss any concerns you may have with your doctor. If you would like a free assessment of all your medications by a trained professional, click here to see if you would benefit from LifeStream’s HomeMeds review.
Heart Health Month Information
LifeStream will be sharing heart-healthy tips and information throughout the month of February in observation of Heart Health Month. Follow along on Facebook and Instagram. See below other heart-healthy tips and information: