Heart Health Diet Tips for Seniors
February 9, 2021
The importance of heart health for seniors cannot be overstated. And while everyone is susceptible to heart concerns, the risk of cardiovascular disease greatly increases with age. According to the American Heart Association, 69.1% of men and 67.9% of women in the 60–79-year-old range have cardiovascular disease. However, with the proper precautions and lifestyle changes, heart concerns can be greatly reduced. Whether it’s through a proper diet, being more active, or abstaining from certain harmful habits, seniors can take charge of their heart health and lower their chances of future heart issues.
4 Tips To Stay Heart Healthy
The prospect of staying on top of your senior loved one’s heart health might seem daunting, but it can be quite simple with some key lifestyle changes you can gradually introduce to their routine.
- Mind their food intake. Adapting a healthier diet is crucial to increased heart health. The heart distributes nutrients throughout the body, so it stands to reason that we should be mindful of what is put into it. Eating more greens, lean proteins, and fiber are excellent ways to get your senior started towards a happier heart. Avoid overly processed foods and salt, and don’t let them overeat — maintaining a lower weight goes hand in hand with lowering cholesterol.
- Keep them hydrated. This fact may not be common knowledge, but our sense of thirst decreases as we age. Therefore, it’s important to keep water intake optimal. The heart has to work more than it needs to when we are dehydrated, so keep those water bottles in rotation.
- Limit alcohol consumption. For many, it’s nice to relax with a nice glass of wine or a beer after a long day. That being said, seniors shouldn’t exceed a single serving per day. Alcoholic beverages have been known to raise blood pressure. And not to mention, it can contribute to weight gain with empty calories.
- Stay active. If your senior loved one is able, add a bit of physical activity to their day. Daily walks, gentle aerobics, and even light weight lifting can all positively impact their heart health.
A Healthy Heart Is a Happy Heart
The golden years can be some of our best years if we let them. With a few simple changes and a bit of hard work, seniors can feel their best and prevent heart issues or improve existing ones.
A Community for Seniors That Is Full of Heart
At Encore at Avalon Park, we care about senior heart health. Not only do our senior residents have access to recreational and social activities, but they also enjoy comfortable accommodations and heart-healthy meals that remind them of home.
If you need assistance caring for your senior loved one and are looking for an assisted living community in the Orlando area, visit Encore at Avalon Park and see for yourself why we’re the premier senior living solution in Central Florida. Call us today at 407-270-7500 to schedule your socially-distanced virtual tour.
It is the head messenger of our body, carrying essential oxygen and nutrients to the rest of the internal organs. We might spend a lot of our younger years training and developing our “glamour” muscles, but we must make sure we are remembering our heart health. After all, it might be the most important muscle we have.
