Hopscotch Primary Care Highlights American Heart Month in February

A healthy heart is essential for a healthy, active life. Heart wellness is especially important as you age. Many older adults face cardiovascular issues that impact their ability to live on their own terms.

At Hopscotch Primary Care, we’re dedicated to serving seniors' health and wellness needs. This means we take your heart to heart!

It’s also why we’re joining The American Heart Association and the Department of Health and Human Services to spotlight American Heart Month this February.

We’re passionate about spreading information and raising awareness about health issues that impact seniors. We believe you deserve an easy place to find all the trusted guidance and insight you need to make informed health and wellness decisions.

We created this article to help you learn important information about heart health for seniors.

Heart health and seniors

Seniors contend with an increased risk of cardiovascular conditions, in part due to the aging process. The majority of adults over the age of 70 experience some type of heart issue. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in seniors.

But why is this so?

The aging process impacts your heart and blood vessels in many ways. This may include changes like:

• Heart wall thickening, limiting its capacity to hold blood at normal volumes
• Increased risks for atrial fibrillation and arrhythmia
• Stiffening and thickening of your blood vessels, which can limit their ability to pump blood and even lead to leaks
• Thickening of the heart’s valves
• Lower heart rate during physical activity and stress

These changes can affect how well your heart pumps blood throughout your body. They can also increase your risk of developing heart disease.

Now that you know more about why seniors are at increased risk for heart conditions, let’s explore some common heart issues in seniors:

Heart issues seniors experience

The aging process impacts everyone differently. Seniors are at risk for a range of heart issues. It’s helpful to know these common heart conditions, so you can have open conversations with your doctor, assess and monitor your risk factors, and focus on preventive care whenever possible.

Common cardiac issues that affect seniors include:

• High blood pressure—medically known as hypertension, this issue is common in older adults. Left untreated, it can put added stress and strain on the heart and blood vessels and can be a factor in cardiovascular disease.
• Congestive heart failure (CHF)—is also very common in seniors. It happens when the heart cannot pump enough blood to the body to meet its oxygen requirements. This can often lead to fluid buildup in the lungs and extremities, such as your legs.
• Aortic stenosis—the aorta is the heart's main route to deliver blood to the body. Stenosis means narrowing. This condition occurs when your aorta narrows, limiting its ability to carry blood to your body. This can cause your heart to work harder and your aortic valve to malfunction.
• Coronary artery disease—this issue impacts the blood vessels that feed blood to your heart. It can cause you to feel short of breath, fatigued, or experience chest pain (angina). It’s often a result of untreated
• Atherosclerosis—plaque buildup from fat, cholesterol, and other substances causes the arteries to narrow, reducing their ability to transport blood effectively. This is another common condition among seniors that can impact heart health.
• Abnormal heart rhythms—as we mentioned, above, atrial fibrillation and arrhythmias affect how your heart pumps blood effectively and efficiently. When it beats out of rhythm, problems can arise.
• Aneurysms—this involves abnormal widening or ballooning out of arteries that interact with the heart and/or brain. Caused by weaknesses in the arterial walls, this condition can lead to severe health issues if they burst or bleed.

Left unaddressed and untreated, chronic cardiac conditions like these can increase your risks for serious issues like heart attacks and strokes.

They can also reduce your quality of life, making getting around, breathing easily, and staying active more difficult.

Before you let heart issues slow you down or stop you from living life on your terms, learn ways to prevent, improve, and manage heart issues and nurture your heart health and wellness.

How can seniors improve their heart health?

Thankfully, there’s a lot you can do to improve your heart health and reduce your chances of developing chronic cardiac issues.

Even if you already have a heart condition, lifestyle modifications can reduce your risks for adverse events and enhance your overall health and well-being.

It’s never too late to make positive changes in your lifestyle for improved health!

You may be unsure what changes will impact your health most. Hopscotch is here to help! Our personalized primary care services offer you the customized care experience you deserve to help you achieve your personal wellness goals.

Our team-based approach to preventative care for seniors means you gain access to a collective of experts to help you tackle your health issues and goals.

From the clinic to your home and everywhere in between—we’ll support and empower you to live your best life on your terms.

If you’re feeling lost about how to manage your heart health and wellness, we’re here for you!

Our team will partner with you to offer expert support and guidance to reach your wellness goals. Our highly personalized care is made to suit your lifestyle and needs.

There are many ways to approach heart health, an important senior health issue. The path we choose will be tailored to you.

Lifestyle modifications we may suggest and work with you to achieve may include:

Prioritizing exercise

A body in motion tends to stay in motion. Newton may have said it first, but physical activity is a key component of senior health and wellness.

But you don’t need to start running marathons to achieve benefits. The key is to add movement and daily physical activities that work for you.

Check out our recent interview with Dr. Westbrook of Hopscotch Marion to discover how he approaches physical fitness with seniors.

Physical activity should be tailored to your goals and needs. Even if you have limited mobility, there are many safe and effective ways to incorporate physical movements into your daily routine for enhanced health and mobility.

From yoga to hiking, water aerobics to walking—there are so many ways to stay fit and have fun simultaneously!

Get some tips and ideas in our article about seated hip stretches for seniors.

Weigh the benefits

Maintaining a healthy weight is important to reduce unnecessary stress and strain on your heart

We’ll help you explore options for achieving and maintaining your ideal weight for your best health and wellness.

We understand no two people are alike. We’ll take the time to get to know you and understand your weight loss goals and needs. Then, we’ll work with you to create a plan that works for you. We’ll be with you every step of the way as you walk your path to your healthiest weight.

Healthy habits

From prioritizing fresh fruits and vegetables to taking the right vitamins and getting enough water—adopting and maintaining healthy habits can have a big positive impact on your heart health.

Many people feel lost when it comes to starting and maintaining healthy habits. At Hopscotch, we understand! That’s why we’ve built comprehensive support into our primary care services.

What does this mean for you?

If you’re struggling to access fresh produce, our Community Health Workers can do the legwork to source options for you. They can even assist you in learning ways to prepare healthy foods, so you’ll enjoy them! Our Community Health Workers and nurses are available for home visits, so they can support you in adopting healthy habits where it matters most.

Meet one of our stellar Community Health Workers and learn how she helps connect rural patients with fresh, healthy foods.

We also offer a range of free talks and events in our clinics, which often include fitness classes and education on senior health and wellness topics of interest. Join us!

Stop smoking

We recognize this may be easier said than done. At Hopscotch Primary Care, we believe in providing quality care without judgment. If stopping smoking altogether works for you, we’ll help you find a way to achieve this goal. If cutting back is more your speed, every bit helps.

The fact is, smoking is tough on your heart and your lungs. It can also negatively affect your circulation. Kicking the habit can be a major improvement to your overall health, wellness, and longevity.

Learn more about the links between smoking and cardiovascular disease from the CDC.

Know your risks

Are you at increased risk for cardiac issues? It helps to know your risks so that you can keep track of them. In addition to age and the problems we mentioned above, those with the following conditions may be at increased risk for cardiac conditions:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Family history of heart disease

If you’re interested in learning more about heart healthy habits, you can download this free fact sheet from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute division of NIH.

And be sure to check out even more tips for healthy aging in our recent blog.

When it comes to your heart health, Hopscotch is here for you! We aim to empower seniors to live their best, healthiest lives.

With some motivation, resources, and our unwavering support, you’ll feel ready to achieve your heart health goals.

From top-notch preventative care to comprehensive chronic condition management—Hopscotch will join you on your path to well-being. Let’s walk together to discover your optimal wellness.

You can easily become a patient online, find your nearest Hopscotch clinic location, and discover our wealth of free resources to support senior health and wellness.