How Can Elderly People Keep Their Hearts Healthy?

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Although the risk of developing heart disease increases with age, there are many things your elderly loved one can do to keep his or her heart healthy. Here are a few suggestions. 

Take a Senior Yoga Class

Stress is a major contributor to heart disease, and stressful life events can increase blood pressure. For this reason, a yoga class designed for seniors is the perfect way to make gentle exercise serve a dual purpose. Performing yoga poses increases circulation while also promoting relaxation. 

Get Regular Cardio Exercise

Getting the heart pumping with moderately vigorous exercise is one of the best things your loved one can do to keep his or her heart healthy. As the heart grows stronger from cardiovascular exercise, it’s able to pump blood more efficiently and with less effort, reducing blood pressure. 

People who exercise have a decreased risk of coronary disease. Additionally, a 2014 study found elderly men who had high blood pressure lowered their risk of death from heart disease by participating in moderate exercise.

If your loved one needs help adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle, a professional caregiver can be a fantastic resource. Dallas senior care experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently.

Eat a Bowl of Oatmeal

Fiber is important for keeping the digestive system running efficiently, yet oats go beyond helping with digestion. Oats act as a sponge in the digestive tract by soaking up cholesterol so it’s eliminated before it can be absorbed into the bloodstream. For the best results, your loved one should avoid instant oatmeal, which is often full of sugar, and sweeten old-fashioned oats with heart-healthy fruits instead.

A professional caregiver with training in nutrition and healthy lifestyle practices can be a wonderful source of information and encouragement for your loved one. Maintaining a high quality of life can be challenging for some seniors, but professional caregivers can help them attain this goal. Families can trust Dallas in-home care experts to help their elderly loved ones focus on lifestyle choices that increase the chances of living longer and healthier lives.

Spend Time with a Pet

The American Heart Association reports owning a pet is associated with a lower risk of heart disease, and this can be attributed to several factors. Petting the soft fur of a dog or cat has been shown to decrease stress and lower blood pressure. Dog owners are also more likely to take them for walks, which can increase seniors’ daily amount of physical activity. If owning a pet isn’t possible for your loved one, spending time with a friend’s or neighbor’s pet can still help him or her reap heart-healthy benefits. 

Use Chili Peppers for Flavor

The sense of taste diminishes with age, and many elderly people start adding salt to their food, which can contribute to heart disease. As an alternative, your loved one can use chili peppers to increase enjoyment of meals while also taking advantage of the benefits of capsaicin, a compound found in chili peppers. Capsaicin has anti-inflammatory properties, and it can reduce blood pressure, cholesterol, and the formation of clots in the arteries. 

A professional caregiver can provide additional support for your efforts to help your loved one adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle. For some families, caring for a senior loved one can be overwhelming at times. Luckily, they can rely on professional respite care. Dallas, TX, Home Care Assistance is a trusted name in respite and hourly care. Our caregivers are available around the clock to assist seniors with bathing, transportation, medication reminders, exercise, and much more, allowing families the time they need to focus on other important responsibilities or just take a break. Call us today at [hca_phone] to learn about our high-quality in-home care services.