February is often known as the love holiday of Valentine’s Day. However, some Americans know it better as American Health Month. Whoever came up with this marketing idea is pure genius!
It is vitally important to take care of your heart at any age. Why is it so important? Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. it has accounted for over 655,000 deaths annually. a diagnosis of heart disease can greatly impact the quality of life and limit your ability to do certain things. Most of the risk factors that cause heart disease are preventable. It includes such things as unhealthy diets, physical activity, and tobacco use.
In addition, heart disease has major Healthcare costs. Americans spend billions of dollars on heart disease each year. It is also known that heart disease disproportionately affects certain populations. People living in poverty and those with limited access to healthcare tend to suffer more from heart disease. As well as there are racial and ethnic disparities.
Overall, heart disease has had a significant impact on the health and well-being of Americans and dominates as a major public health concern. It is important for individuals to take steps to reduce their risk and prevent heart disease.
Heart Healthy Suggestions for Adults
The good news about heart disease is that there are plenty of things you can do to prevent it. Most adults need to take some actions with regard to their diet and exercise routines. Here is an example of how you can help reduce your chances of dealing with heart disease.
- Exercise. It is recommended that adults engage in moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes as many days of the week as possible.
- Eat a healthy diet. Americans need to include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy products in their diet daily.
- Maintain a healthy weight. One of the biggest risk factors when it comes to heart disease is being overweight or obese. Doing your part to keep your body at a healthy weight is imperative.
- Stop smoking. Another major risk factor for heart disease is smoking.
- Blood pressure and cholesterol. It is known that high blood pressure and cholesterol levels can increase your risk of heart disease.
- Alcohol intake. Reducing the amount of alcohol you drink each week can help to reduce your blood pressure and your risk of heart disease.
- Stress. Managing your stress is important to keeping your heart healthy. chronic stress can increase your risk of heart disease
- Visit your doctor. Getting regular check-ups with your doctor can help you manage any existing health conditions and potentially prevent heart disease.
- Stay social. Another way to reduce your stress and improve your overall well-being is to stay socially connected with friends, family, and people you enjoy being with.
Heart Healthy Suggestions for Senior Citizens
It is no surprise that we tend to have more health problems as we age. Therefore, as a senior citizen taking care of your heart is even more important than ever before. All the things listed above are what senior citizens should be striving for as well.
What you may not know is that Medicare insurance can help with heart disease. If you are on original Medicare (Part A and B) your heart screenings are covered by Medicare. As long as your doctor accepts Medicare, you can have any tests or screenings related to your heart performed. That means you can have your heart screened at no cost to you.
What Are Signs of Heart Disease
As you work hard to prevent heart disease from happening in the first place it is important to know what signs come about with the onset of heart disease. Knowing that your heart could be in danger will help you get to the doctor or hospital faster. When in doubt, always call for help. Here are just a few signs of heart disease.
- Chest pain. People report that it can feel like pressure squeezing fullness or pain in the center or left side of the chest.
- Shortness of breath. you may experience this with or without chest discomfort and still have heart problems.
- Fatigue. it is possible to experience unusual or excessive fatigue or tiredness.
- Dizziness. When your heart is not pumping enough blood to meet your body’s needs, you may experience lightheadedness or dizziness.
- Irregular heartbeat. Another sign of heart disease is an irregular heartbeat.
- Swelling. your legs, ankles, and feet may swell due to heart disease. This can be a sign of heart failure and is very important to get to the doctor as soon as possible.
- Nausea or indigestion some people with heart disease have reported that they experienced nausea indigestion or abdominal comfort. Keep in mind that not everyone who has heart disease will experience any or all of these symptoms. what you experience might be completely different.
At any point that you are concerned about your heart health, you need to go see your doctor for an evaluation immediately.
As a Medicare Broker in Arizona, we encourage everyone to take care of their body, mind, and heart. We are ready to guide you and your loved ones through the Medicare maze. Give us a call at (480) 382-1823.Have a happy American Heart Month.
