February is observed as Heart Awareness Month by the American Heart Association because it aligns with Valentine’s Day, which is associated with expressions of love and affection. It serves as a reminder to focus on cardiovascular health and raise awareness about heart disease prevention. Tutera communities work every day to provide cardiac services on-site for all your heart-related needs.
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death globally, and many organizations take advantage of this month to promote heart-healthy habits, encourage screenings for heart-related conditions and educate the public about risk factors and prevention strategies.
By dedicating an entire month to heart health, there’s an opportunity to emphasize heart-healthy messages and initiatives aimed at reducing the occurrence of heart disease and aiming to improve overall cardiovascular wellness for seniors.
Cardiac Services
We’re committed to the heart health of our senior residents, which is why we offer cardiac services – an on-site cardiology consulting program that provides education and evaluates cardiac health conditions. This program allows our team to provide the highest quality of care for the best cardiac results.
Seniors who want to live independently but can no longer perform daily tasks on their own can rely on Tutera’s 24-hour skilled nursing services for dedicated security and support.
Ensuring safety is crucial for seniors facing challenges in independent living, which is why our communities and services prioritize comfort and convenience. This approach provides peace of mind to both residents and their families.
What Affects Heart Health?
Heart health can be affected by a variety of lifestyle factors and even genetics! As people age, their risk of heart disease increases. This is partly due to the slow buildup of plaque in the arteries over time. Many seniors face a condition called congestive heart failure.
More than 70% of elderly individuals in the United States experience various types of cardiovascular conditions. Given that heart attacks stem from the accumulation of plaque in the arteries, the risk factors linked with coronary artery disease are synonymous with those of a myocardial infarction.
Coronary Artery Disease
When it comes to heart health for seniors, there are many age-related changes in the cardiovascular system. Coronary artery disease happens when the arteries supplying your heart with necessary oxygen and nutrients grow narrow and eventually clog, leading to a blockage.
Coronary artery disease is the predominant type of heart ailment, impacting over 17 million adults in the United States. This condition may result in symptoms like chest discomfort, heart attack, cardiac injury and congestive heart failure.
Find out if you’re at risk by exploring the most common risk factors listed below:
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Any sort of pain anywhere
- Dizziness or weakness
- Obesity
- Cigarette smoking
- Lack of exercise
- Genetics
Is the Cardiac Services Program Right for Me?
If you have any of the following conditions, then you would be someone who could benefit from senior cardiac health services:
- Heart attack
- Chest pain
- Congestive heart failure
- Arrhythmia
- Coronary artery disease
- Valvular heart disease
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Cardiomyopathy
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Heart surgery
- Presence of a cardiac pacemaker or device
What Do Senior Cardiac Health Services Provide?
Tutera’s cardiac services program provides skilled nursing care, featuring:
- 24/7 access to a Cardiologist and cardiac care consultants
- Bedside, real-time EKG
- Cardiac telemetry and Holter monitoring
- IV diuretic therapy
- Cardiac rehabilitation exercises
- Heart-healthy nutrition
- Specialized therapy equipment
What Should Patients Expect in the Cardiac Services Program?
Patients in Tutera’s signature cardiac services program can expect the following benefits and results:
- Increased strength
- Increased stamina and endurance
- Improved cardiac efficiency
- Controlled blood pressure and heart rate
- Improved health for seniors
It’s never too late to help keep your heart young. Here are several factors to take into account when considering your risk for heart related conditions:
- Diet: Consuming a balanced diet of heart-healthy foods for seniors is great. This includes a diet low in saturated fats, cholesterol and sodium and high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats (like those found in nuts, seeds and fatty fish).
- Physical activity: Regular exercise helps strengthen the heart muscle, improve circulation, control weight and lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
- Smoking: Tobacco smoke contains harmful chemicals that can damage blood vessels, increase blood pressure, reduce oxygen levels and raise the risk of heart disease and stroke.
- Alcohol consumption: Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure, contribute to weight gain and increase the risk of heart disease.
- Obesity: Being overweight or obese can lead to conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes, which increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
- Stress: Chronic stress can raise blood pressure and contribute to unhealthy habits like overeating, smoking or excessive alcohol consumption, which can negatively impact heart health.
- Genetics: Family history and genetics can influence a person’s risk of developing heart disease. Certain genetic factors can predispose individuals to conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart rhythm disorders.
- High blood pressure: Hypertension strains the heart and damages blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke.
- High cholesterol: Elevated levels of LDL cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol) can lead to the buildup of plaque in the arteries, narrowing them and increasing the risk of heart disease.
- Diabetes: Uncontrolled diabetes can damage blood vessels and nerves, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
- Sleep: Poor sleep habits or conditions like sleep apnea can contribute to high blood pressure, obesity and other factors that affect heart health.
Whether you have heart disease or not, physical activity is beneficial for your heart. Starting slowly may be necessary, but it’s important to stay active. Here are some simple exercises you can integrate into your daily routine:
- Cycling
- Gardening
- Swimming
- Aerobics
Regardless of your medical history, improving your heart health is something everyone can benefit from, and it starts with easy lifestyle changes such as:
- A healthy diet, meaning less saturated fats and sodium and more fruits and veggies
- 20-30 minutes of aerobic exercise a day (check with your doctor first)
- No smoking
Tutera’s cardiac services program is available in many communities. This February during American Heart Month, take proactive decisions to produce a healthy heart by employing habits such as a low-fat diet, daily exercise and heart screenings.
Interested in hearing more about Tutera’s cardiac services? Click here to find a community near you or click here to contact us today.
