Taking care of a senior comes with many challenges you may not know. Elderly parents have different concerns than younger adults, and it can be scary to focus on. Your parents will have to focus on an overall healthy lifestyle to keep their hearts in good shape. If a senior wants to age in place and live independently, it may be time to seek personal care at home attendants to help them out. Having a caregiver around when you cannot be there for your senior is one of the best ways to ensure your senior is staying healthy.
A healthy heart is critical for general well-being. At any age, adopting a healthy lifestyle may help prevent heart disease and reduce your chance of having a heart attack or stroke. There is never a time when you are too old or too young to begin taking care of your heart. Personal care at home attendants may help a senior follow a healthy diet and keep up an exercise routine, impacting how healthy a senior’s heart is.
There are certain life-threatening diseases and events that can occur due to an unhealthy heart. Things like:
- Heart Attacks- Blood supply (and hence oxygen) to the heart is shut off partly or totally. Atherosclerosis is the cause of heart attacks.
- Strokes- occur when blood flow from the heart to the brain is compromised or quits entirely. Thus, it is critical to understand your heart and its current state of health.
- Coronary Heart Disease- CHD arises when plaque accumulates in the heart’s two coronary arteries. It kills more people than any other kind of cardiac condition.
- Heart Failure- This occurs when the heart cannot pump blood properly in and out.
Although these are scary, getting regular checkups and paying attention to symptoms and signs of an unhealthy heart can help a senior live much longer. Take a look at these signs to look for in a senior.
Achy Shoulder or Chest
Chest aches, particularly on the left side, have long been associated with a heart attack. The aging or loss of cardiac muscle cells causes discomfort. Tightness and tension on the heart may cause discomfort in the upper torso, particularly the shoulder region.
Sleeping Problems
A recent study connected snoring to heart disease and other cardiovascular disorders. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is also linked to obesity and overweight, two risk factors for heart disease.
Irregular Heartbeat
An irregular heartbeat is more properly referred to as “arrhythmias,” which refers to the fact that your heart is not pumping blood normally. While an erratic heartbeat may occur in someone who is otherwise healthy, it can also be a sign of heart failure or an imminent heart attack.
Swollen Legs or Feet
Legs and foot swelling might be a symptom of heart failure. You may feel an increase in swelling in your lower limbs when you remove your shoes and/or trousers at the end of the day. This can be a really bad sign in seniors, and they should be taken to the doctor when any type of swelling occurs. Even if it isn’t a heart attack or an unhealthy heart, it can be a key indicator of another disease.
Keep in mind that one of these symptoms may not indicate an unhealthy heart. However, if you notice multiple symptoms all at once, a senior should go to the doctor immediately.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring Personal Care at Home in Greer, SC, contact Heart of the Carolinas Home Care at 864-991-3116. Providing Home Care Services in Greenville, Simpsonville, Greer, Anderson, Spartanburg, Mauldin, Seneca, Laurens, Charleston, Columbia and the surrounding areas.
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