February is American Heart Month, during which time we are educated and made more aware of the prevalence of heart disease in our country.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, states the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Stroke and heart disease are responsible for one in every three deaths, resulting in over 2,220 deaths per day in the United States.
Senior citizens, those over the age of 65, compose a large percentage of reported deaths. The American Family Physician (AFP) cites that 84 percent of senior citizens die from the disease.
What makes seniors to susceptible to heart disease? There are many factors:
- Decreased activity level. According to Health Guidance.org, our activity levels decrease as we age, but many times our food consumption does not. Overeating, especially foods that are high in fat and cholesterol, can lead to blocked arteries, which decrease the blood flow to the heart.
- Obesity. Inactivity and overeating can lead to obesity, which contributes to other problems such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension.
- Too much ibuprofen. Senior citizens take more ibuprofen for those aches and pains that accompany the aging process. Research has shown that increased consumption of ibuprofen increases the chances of a heart attack, states Health Guidance.org.
- Psoriasis. Senior citizens with psoriasis, a skin condition that causes irritation and redness, could signify underlying heart problems such as blocked arteries. Seniors with this condition should get themselves screened for heart disease.
- Smoking. Smoking can cause an increased chance of heart attack, stroke and death, states AFP. Many seniors have smoked their whole lives and find it to be a hard habit to break.
So what can senior citizens do to reduce their chance of heart disease?
- Get regular check-ups. Get a physical to check your overall health, including blood pressure, cholesterol, and insulin and glucose levels.
- Exercise. After checking with your doctor, seniors should begin a light to moderate exercise program. Exercise can have an impact on heart attack risk factors such as insulin resistance, high blood pressure and obesity, even in seniors over the age of 75, states AFP.
- Stop smoking. It's important to stop smoking, even if a senior citizen has been smoking all of his/her life and feels it may not make a difference to stop now anyway. It does. The AFP cites a study that found a 36 percent reduction in mortality rate in heart disease patients once they stopped smoking. Use counseling, support groups and nicotine patches to help break the habit.
- Eat healthy. Diets that are rich in vegetables, fruits and lean meats will help deter heart disease. Avoid foods that are high in fat, sodium, cholesterol and sugar.
- Portion control. Be aware of the amount of food you are eating. Since older people are less active, their bodies do not require the same portion sizes they consumed when they were younger. Use a smaller plate and eat slowly
- Join the Million Hearts. In September of 2011, the CDC and the Department of Health and Human Services launched the Million Hearts initiative, whose goal is to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes in the United States by the end of 2016. Encourage your family and friends to learn more about this program and take the Million Hearts pledge at www.millionhearts.hhs.gov.
Because heart disease is the leading cause of death in seniors, be aware of your risk factors and healthy living habits, not just this February, but in each and every day of each and every month.
The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Laurie Zinn - Laurie Zinn is a freelance writer and Topic Editor for the seniors/grandparents section at Suite 101. After earning her ...
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