Unfortunately, heart-related illnesses can be serious or even deadly for your senior loved one. If your loved one already has heart issues or if they want to try to prevent them, you will want to help them take steps to do that. Here are a few ideas for improving heart health.
Exercising
Exercising is one of the best ways to promote better heart health. Physical activity can decrease four of the main risk factors that lead to heart disease. These things are cholesterol levels, extra weight, blood pressure, and risk of type 2 diabetes. You will want to help your loved one to get moving for 2 ½ hours every week. 20 minutes a day would be ideal. If you can’t help them to do this, maybe you can have their elder care providers help out.
Quitting Smoking
If your loved one is a smoker, it is important for their heart health to have them quit. While quitting can be tough, there are many benefits including better heart health, that can encourage them to quit.
Managing Stress Levels
Unfortunately, as someone ages, there are certain things that become more difficult for them to do. They may have a tougher time handling daily living activities on their own. Knowing that certain things are more difficult can stress your loved one out. You should have your loved one’s elder care provider to help them with these things. Knowing they have help can reduce stress levels quite a bit, hence improving heart health.
Getting Proper Sleep
People who don’t get enough sleep are likely to have a higher risk of heart health issues such as having a heart attack. If your loved one doesn’t currently get the proper amount of sleep, you will want to help them with this. Make sure they are getting at least 6 hours or more of sleep every night. Have them avoid caffeine, late-day naps, and exercise later in the day, as well. Getting the proper amount of sleep will greatly improve your loved one’s heart health.
These are some of the many ways to promote better heart health in your loved one. If they aren’t taking great care of themselves on their own or with just your help, it might be time to hire an elder care provider. If they already have elder care providers, get everyone involved in helping to improve their heart health.
Sources
https://www.sleepfoundation.org/excessive-sleepiness/health-impact/how-sleep-deprivation-affects-your-heart
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=2171
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/smoking-and-your-heart
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/physical-activity-and-your-heart
If you or an aging loved one is considering elder care in Huntley, MT, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY HomeCare Billings today at 406-839-2390.
