Keeping Your Heart Healthy as You Age
Heart disease is one of the most common health problems people face after the age of 65 in the United States. It is important for seniors to take heart health seriously and implement healthy habits in their lives that promote a strong cardiovascular system.
Why has heart disease grown? As people age, they often find it more difficult to stay fit and cook healthy meals. Lifestyle changes, stress levels, smoking, and drinking are also major contributors.
So, what can you do to improve your overall heart health? There are many ways to improve the health of your heart in your everyday life. Here are 6 great tips for seniors to maintain or improve their cardiovascular health.
Get Better Sleep
Sleep is the most important part of a healthy lifestyle. It’s critical for people of any age to get a good night’s sleep. Sleep is beneficial for brain function, mood, metabolism, muscle growth, immune system strength, and more. Seniors should aim to get 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep each night.
Reduce Stress
Stress has been proven to be a major contributor to cardiovascular disease in seniors. Stress affects every part of your body, from your muscles to your mental focus, and it especially affects your heart. Reducing stress in your life can be done in a number of ways, and it is important to find something that works for you. Reading, walking, listening to music, and meditating have all been found to reduce stress levels, improve moods, and improve heart health.
Stop Smoking & Drinking
Excessive consumption of alcohol and/or cigarettes has been proven to cause chronic diseases that affect your heart. Smoking is especially bad and should be avoided at all costs. Alcohol is alright in moderation but should be avoided in excessive amounts. It’s never too late to quit smoking, and modern solutions like patches and gum can help curb temptations.
Eat Healthier
You know the old saying: you are what you eat. Eating a healthy diet composed of whole foods not only benefits your heart but your entire body. Shopping smart at the grocery store leads to a strong immune system, so focus on buying brightly colored fruits and vegetables, avoid high-fat foods like dairy products or meat, add in plenty of nuts and high- fiber foods, and avoid highly processed food items.
Exercise
Once your sleep schedule and diet are in a good place, the next step is trying to get as much exercise as possible. Seniors should aim to get at least 30 minutes of some sort of exercise every day and two days of muscle-focused exercise per week. Hiking, jogging, swimming, aerobics, and yoga are great ways to exercise for seniors. Remember, exercise doesn’t need to be a challenge. Make it a fun activity you enjoy, and you’re more likely to make it an everyday part of your life.
See Your Doctor Regularly
Staying up-to-date with your doctor is important as you get older. Staying in contact with your medical provider will allow you to have an expert opinion on what is going on, how you’re doing, and improvements you can make for your health.
What Are Your Heart Healthy Habits?
We love hearing from others, if you have any heart healthy tips that you have incorporated in your life, let us know! We’re happy to promote healthy tips and tricks for a fulfilling lifestyle at Regency Senior Communities.