I’m seeing all kinds of pink and red hearts everywhere as we approach Valentine’s Day, and hearts are the perfect symbol for a day focused on love and relationships.
They should also serve as a reminder to us that February is Heart Health Awareness Month, and we should all show our hearts some love to help prevent heart disease otherwise known as cardiovascular disease (CVD).
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the leading cause of death in Florida is heart disease, with an age-adjusted death rate of 151.3 deaths per 100,000 Floridians.
In Pasco County, that number is more than double that rate at 307 per 100,000 adults aged 35+.
In Pinellas County, the number of deaths from heart disease is 272 per 100,000 adults aged 35+.
So, what is heart disease? The Florida Department of Health explains, “In the United States, the most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease (CAD), which can lead to a heart attack. CAD is a narrowing of the small blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart. CAD is caused by a process called atherosclerosis, which is the term for the process of fatty substances, cholesterol, cellular waste products, calcium, and fibrin (a clotting material in the blood) building up in the inner lining of an artery. The buildup that results is called plaque. These plaques can also burst, causing a blood clot leading to a heart attack.”
Other forms of heart disease include:
- Acute coronary syndrome
- Angina
- Aortic aneurysm and dissection
- Arrhythmias
- Atrial fibrillation
- Cardiomyopathy
- Congenital heart defects
- Heart failure
- Rheumatic heart disease
Since 80% of heart disease cases are preventable, it is recommended that aging adults understand their risk factors and address them by having conversations with their physicians and considering lifestyle changes.
General risk factors for CVD include:
- High blood pressure [HBP]
- Cholesterol
- Body mass index (BMI)
- Blood sugar
Additional risk factors for heart disease in senior women based on biological differences include:
- Health during pregnancy [HBP, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, etc.]
- Early menopause
- Inflammatory conditions
- Depression, Anxiety
- Stress
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Breast Cancer treated with radiation
If you or a loved one has one or more of these risk factors for heart disease, or have been diagnosed with CVD, it’s crucial to know the warning signs of a heart attack:
- Pressure in the chest
- Pain or discomfort in the arms, back, jaw, or stomach
- Shortness of breath
- Extreme fatigue
- Nausea/light-headedness
If you or someone you love experiences any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately or promptly get to an emergency room!
We should all examine our lifestyles, have a conversation with our doctors, and show our hearts some love to prevent heart disease by following these recommendations from Florida Health:
- Manage blood pressure
- Control cholesterol
- Reduce blood sugar
- Get more physical activity
- Eat a heart-healthy diet
- Limit alcohol use
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Get better sleep
- Stop smoking or using tobacco products
- Take necessary medications as directed
If you or a senior loved one suffers from some form of heart disease and could benefit from in-home care services for a better quality of life, I am happy to offer a FREE Consultation to complete an assessment so I can customize a care plan and match the perfect caregiver to make life easier.
Home Helpers® caregivers provide non-medical assistance and support with companion care, heart-healthy meal planning and preparation, medication reminders, recuperative care, personal care, homemaker services, respite care, specialized Alzheimer’s and dementia care, wellness calls, and so much more!
We, at Home Helpers® Clearwater, are honored to have been ranked among the Home Care Pulse Top 100 Leaders in Experience for home care providersin 2023 and to have receivedthe Best of Home Care® Provider of Choice Award 2023, the Best of Home Care® Employer of Choice Award 2023, and the Best of Home Care® Leader in Experience Award 2023, and the Caring Super Star 2024 Award.
We proudly serve male and female seniors in Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Safety Harbor, Tarpon Springs, Holiday, New Port Richey, Trinity, Port Richey, Hudson, and surrounding areas. Home Helpers®…we are Making Life Easier℠ 727.942.2539
Sources:
CDC
Florida Department of Health
Florida Health
