Heart attacks are one of the most serious risks an elderly adult faces. Heart disease and the associated effects are the leading cause of death among both men and women. One of the most pressing effects of heart disease is the potential for a heart attack. Many seniors each year suffer from a heart attack, with many occurring in someone who has already had at least one. As a family caregiver, it is extremely important to recognize individual risks your senior faces so you can help them to improve their health and reduce the chances of suffering a first heart attack or a subsequent attack.
Some risk factors for heart attack include:
- Being over the age of sixty five, with the risk increasing the older your senior gets
- Being male, though heart attacks can and do occur in both men and women, but more than half of deaths associated with heart disease occur in men
- Personal history of heart attack
- Family history of heart disease and heart attack
- Personal history of smoking and tobacco use
- High blood cholesterol
- Personal history of diabetes, particularly if it is not well controlled
- Personal history of high blood pressure, particularly if it is not well controlled
- Being overweight or obese
- Living a largely sedentary lifestyle or not getting enough physical activity on a regular basis
- Personal history of high levels of stress
- Overuse of alcohol
- Not eating a healthy, well-balanced diet. Heart attacks are much more common in those who eat diets high in saturated fat, and that do not contain enough fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains.
Senior care can be extremely valuable for an elderly adult who has recently suffered a heart attack. A senior home care services provider can offer a wide range of support and care services designed to help your parent through their recovery and to move forward and a healthier way. The services can include transportation to encourage taking on more of their own errands and to stay active, physical mobility support, assistance with personal care needs such as bathing, meal and snack preparation, medication reminders, and more. As a family caregiver, this can help you to feel more confident in your senior's recovery, and and their ability to live an enjoyable life throughout their later years.
Source: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/understand-your-risks-to-prevent-a-heart-attack
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