American Heart Month is here, and it's a great opportunity to take care of your heart health as a senior. At Senior Helpers, we want to make sure your heart stays healthy for years to come! In this article, we’ll discuss a few key tests that you can take to monitor your heart health.
Why Is Heart Health Important for Seniors?
Heart health is an important part of overall senior wellness, and as you enter your retirement years, it's especially important to focus on cardiac care. As seniors get older, their heart muscle becomes stiffer, meaning that the heart struggles to pump oxygenated blood throughout the body efficiently. Poor circulation can lead to multiple issues like fatigue, dizziness, and general bodily discomfort.
What Annual Tests Should Seniors Do to Monitor Heart Health?
To ensure that your heart health as a senior is well taken care of, it's a good idea to get an annual check-up that usually includes several tests. These tests can help you track and improve your cardiovascular health over time.
The types of tests used to monitor heart health vary from person to person, depending on your medical history and lifestyle. Generally speaking, some of the most common ones include taking blood pressure readings, measuring cholesterol levels, and undergoing a stress test or echocardiogram.
Blood Pressure Measurement
Blood pressure readings are one of the most common tests used to determine heart health status. It's important for seniors to keep their blood pressure reading from being too high or too low. High blood pressure is often referred to as hypertension and can increase the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other serious medical conditions. Low blood pressure can also cause symptoms like dizziness and lead to low blood oxygen levels. With a blood pressure monitor, this test can also be done at home.
Check Cholesterol Levels
Cholesterol levels should be tested regularly as well, and this can be done by your primary care physician. High cholesterol can increase the risk of heart disease, clogged arteries, and stroke. LDL-cholesterol (the bad kind) should be monitored most closely as high LDL-C levels along with other cardiovascular markers like triglyceride levels can put seniors at an increased risk for heart attack or stroke.
Stress Tests
Stress tests are another important way to monitor heart health. Stress tests measure how your heart's electrical system is working, and they can be used to detect any irregularities. The test monitors the electrical signals of your heart while you exercise to see whether or not they are normal.
How to Prepare for Heart Health Tests
It's important to be aware of the specific requirements for each test. For example, if your doctor recommends a stress test, then you may need to fast before the procedure or limit exercise in order to get accurate results. Ask your doctor all the questions you have and make sure that any prospective tests are relevant and necessary.
Senior Helpers Offers Unique In-home Care Solutions for Seniors
At Senior Helpers York and Adams Counties, we are dedicated to offering the highest quality of care and services for seniors. Our in-home senior care solutions provide customized assistance with getting regular checkups and implementing a comprehensive wellness program that takes into account individual needs like heart health. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you or your loved one manage their senior years!