Cardiovascular disease isn’t a certainty. With a well-structured plan and a dedication to leading an active, healthy lifestyle, you can lower your risk of heart disease and prevent a medical emergency. Keep reading to learn how to strengthen your heart and limit behaviors that increase your risk for heart disease.
Why Is It Important To Keep Your Heart Healthy?
Whether you receive home care or you’re in an assisted living facility, monitoring your heart health is essential. You’re never too old or young to adopt a healthy lifestyle and take steps to control risk factors. Your heart gives you life, pumping fuel, hormones, essential cells, and other nutrients throughout the body. The body’s basic functions fail when the heart stops working, leading to death.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women. Anything from a lack of regular exercise to genetic conditions can lead to heart disease. Adopting a healthy diet and managing risk factors like cholesterol levels and high blood pressure improve your heart, keeping your arteries free of obstructions.
There are many simple ways to prevent heart disease. With the right resources and a positive mindset, you can enhance your heart health and keep your body in better shape.
5 Ways To Keep Your Heart Healthy
If you aren’t sure how to strengthen your heart, start here. There are many ways to care for your heart, and you don’t need to make massive changes all at once. A series of small changes in your lifestyle makes the transition a little easier.
Follow these tips to improve your heart health:
Control Major Risk Factors
Monitoring health conditions is easier when you talk to your doctor and schedule yearly checkups. Factors like high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and diabetes lead to an increased risk of heart disease. If you have these conditions, home care services can help you manage your symptoms. Work with your personal care provider and doctor to create an actionable strategy that helps you control your condition and make positive lifestyle changes.
Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is essential to long-term heart health, allowing your body to recharge and recover from the day. People should get 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night, but some older adults may need more. Personal caregivers support patients who need help getting in and out of bed and can assist with bathing, grooming, toileting, and other activities before bedtime.
Manage Stress Levels
Excessive stress can harm your mental and physical health. Your mental state may cause you to pick up bad habits like overeating, smoking, or skipping exercise. The body also has a biochemical reaction to stress, leading to headaches, stomach pains, and agitation. Chronic stress is constant and raises your blood pressure, increasing your chances of a stroke or heart attack.
Older adults aging in place can rely on senior companion care and adult day services to keep themselves happy and socially engaged. Companion caregivers are there to lend an ear when patients need someone to confide in. Adult day facilities allow older adults to connect with other people and pursue hobbies in a safe environment. Social stimulation and breaks from the everyday routine help reduce feelings of isolation, a significant cause of stress in older adults.
Establish a Regular Exercise Routine
Exercise promotes weight loss, which can reduce risk factors and help strengthen your heart. Regular exercise lowers your blood pressure and prevents bad cholesterol. You don’t have to do much to kick up your heart rate—walking at a brisk pace or doing aerobic exercise is more than enough. For the best results, plan for at least 20 to 30 minutes of exercise daily.
If you’re recovering from an injury or managing a condition and need assistance with an exercise routine, physical therapists can help you create a healthy strategy that increases your flexibility and strengthens your heart safely.
Keep an Eye on Your Body Weight
Eating fresh foods and limiting saturated fats, sodium, and added sugars helps you reduce your blood sugar and manage your body weight. Obesity increases your risk for cardiovascular disease and the development of other conditions like diabetes. Eat plenty of lean protein, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats while limiting processed foods.
If you need assistance with food, home care providers can help you establish a healthy diet and purchase groceries when you have trouble leaving the house alone.
MDC Healthcare Strengthens Your Heart With High-Quality Home Care Services
Caring for your heart is easier when you have someone to keep you on track. MDC Healthcare provides home care services to keep you safe and healthy at home. Whether you’re an older adult aging in place or someone living with a condition, we ensure your independence and improve your quality of life with personalized care plans. When you work with us, we create a health strategy that helps you complete daily activities and manage your health.
Our caregivers are dedicated to serving communities of every race, culture, and ethnicity. Are you ready to meet your new caregiver? Reach out today.
