February is American Heart Month. This is an opportunity to raise awareness of heart health and treatments that help keep seniors' hearts in good condition. For seniors who want to stay on top of their health in between doctor appointments, it's important to be aware of heart health tests that are easy to do within their own homes. These tests will help provide useful information about their cardiovascular health.
In this blog post, we'll explore three heart health tests seniors can take at home during American Heart Month.
Overview of American Heart Month
American Heart Month is an annual observance that began in 1963 when President Lyndon B. Johnson designated the month of February to focus on the importance of heart health and cardiovascular disease awareness.
For many seniors living with pre-existing conditions or those beginning to come across issues due to age-related changes, American Heart Month can serve as an opportunity for them to take a deeper look into their own cardiovascular health and make positive changes if needed.
3 Common Heart Health Tests for Seniors
Simply talking to your doctor is not enough. Taking heart health tests at home can provide a better picture of what's going on and present opportunities for action. Monitoring things like blood pressure and cholesterol levels are steps seniors should take regularly, not simply when it becomes mandatory from the doctor's office.
Here are three common tests any seniors can do in their own homes to assess cardiovascular health:
Blood Pressure Test
Blood pressure tests are an easy and straightforward metric to measure when it comes to tracking heart health. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a serious concern for many seniors. Sustained increases in blood pressure can eventually damage the organs including the heart.
In order to track their progress over time, seniors must take established baseline measurements. This way, they have something with which to compare later reads. As long as seniors follow instructions found in printed materials included with most at-home blood pressure kits, this test should be easy enough for them to do on their own.
Stress Test
A stress test, or an exercise tolerance or treadmill test, can help doctors understand how the heart responds to physical activity such as walking or running. When seniors start feeling tired, any pain in their chests and other symptoms are monitored for changes.
It's a good idea for seniors to come up with an action plan that fits their lifestyle. As more seniors become independent and take on age-appropriate activities at home, taking an exercise tolerance test can provide useful information about cardiovascular performance.
Cholesterol Test
Cholesterol is a major component of cardiovascular health, but it also doesn't necessarily get the attention it deserves. In fact, many at-home cholesterol tests are available in pharmacies and grocery stores. This makes them accessible for any seniors to at least assess their current level before talking further with their doctor. Lowered levels mean lessened risks for high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke – important components of healthy lives.
Senior Helpers Offers Premium In-Home Care Services
Monitoring cardiovascular health with simple heart health tests is essential for seniors and a great way to protect heart health during American Heart Month. What's more, all of these tests are easily accessible at home or in pharmacies. This makes it possible for seniors to track their own health without ever having to leave the house.
As always, make sure seniors discuss their plans with their doctor before making any decisions on changes or treatments related to cardiovascular health. Senior Helpers Smithtown provides the very best senior care services to those in the Smithtown, Central Islip, Port Jefferson, Stony Brook, Suffolk County, and Centereach areas. Contact us today to learn more!