You can’t stop aging, but this does not mean you should sit back and let life run its course. Staying healthy and fit keeps you happier, allowing you to enjoy a longer and more fulfilling life. As you age, you are exposed to many risks that affect your health. Among the most affected concerns is your cardiovascular system. As you strive to keep it healthy, Dr. Daljit Muttiana can help detect changes, providing medication, and guidance such as dietary and exercise regimen, among other measures.
Keeping your heart healthy as you age is not much different from the measures you employed before. Nonetheless, since aging exposes you to more heart-related risks, you need to be more involved. Among the top tips to keep your heart healthy in your senior years include:
Your diet
By now, you know much about your diet; fruits and vegetables are the way to go. Nonetheless, you can do more to ensure your body gets enough healthy nutrients and keeps those unwanted fats away. It is also essential to observe portion size as you consider the diet. This is especially since older adults can easily eat much or forget altogether. Ensuring you are getting enough keeps blood sugar and energy at their best levels, which is good for your heart.
When picking nutrients sources, for example, proteins go for more lean sources like seafood, eggs, skinless poultry, and beans. Remember to keep that salt shaker away: sodium exceeding 200 mg per day only causes problems like raising blood pressure risks. Don’t forget to take plenty of water, ensuring you are not dehydrated, causing the heart to overwork. Older adults don’t get thirsty that much, and with the decreasing appetite, it is essential to tailor a nutrition regimen that ensures they get enough food and water.
Physical activity
You might not have as much energy as a few years back, but this doesn’t excuse the sedentary lifestyle you seem to favor. Concerns like physical challenges, especially if you have conditions such as arthritis, can make exercising more demanding. Nonetheless, you can find a regimen that can keep you active. Walking, especially since you need a mobility aid, might not be as much fun, but a few minutes a day will help keep your heart healthy. Work with your doctor; you will be surprised by the many available physical activities you can still manage, giving your body the workout it needs to stay fit.
Monitor the numbers
Your weight, blood glucose, and pressure are among the top numbers you should monitor. Ensuring they remain at healthy levels will keep your heart in good shape. If you are managing chronic conditions, follow your doctor’s guidelines, including:
- Taking prescription medication as directed
- Following dietary regimen
- Exercise
- Enough rest
- Lifestyle changes, for example, stop smoking and quit/moderate alcohol consumption.
Monitoring your vitals can also help detect changes and take prompt action, helping to keep your cardiovascular health at its best.
Understanding the common symptoms to keep an eye on can help older adults maintain their heart health at its best. Whether you have a medical concern or not, regular screening can also help you adopt a heart-healthier lifestyle. Visit Cardiovascular Institute, P.A. today and learn more about how you can keep your heart healthier as you age.