Heart Health For Seniors: What You Need To Do Right Now
Heart health for senior citizens is a vital health issue and sometimes not given the consideration it deserves.
The fact is that heart disease and stroke are among the leading causes of concern for men and women age 50 and older. Studies show that cardiovascular disease begins to affect men in their 50s, while women see a spike in risk beginning in their 60s. But no matter your age or gender, you must take steps to protect yourself. Here’s what you need to know:
Heart Health: Get Your Heart Checked At Least Once A Year
Find a cardiologist and schedule an appointment at least once a year to get a full, comprehensive heart exam, including a stress test.
Heart Health: Eat Less Red Meat
Definitely, yes! Studies show that high consumption of red meat is associated with increased levels of TMAO. TMAO is a chemical marker produced by gut bacteria that is linked to heart disease. The good news is that limiting red meat decreases elevated levels of TMAO within one month. You can easily reach this goal just by Mieres going meatless one day a week. Also, cut down or totally eliminate processed meats which have a ton of sodium. Excess salt is bad for your heart. Compensate by getting your protein from beans and fish.
Cut Down On The Salt
Packaged, processed foods contain tons of salt. The average American consumes 3,400 milligrams of sodium daily. This is more than twice the amount (1,500 mg) the American Heart Association says is ideal. Seventy percent of this sodium comes from processed foods such as: bread, cold cuts and cheese. These are are among the top sources of sodium.
Counterbalance this by eating more fruits and vegetables to increase your potassium intake. Potassium is a mineral that helps lower blood pressure and reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.
Drink Whole Milk
Yes. A recent study shows that consuming full-fat dairy products is associated with a longer life. In a 2018 study of more than 130,000 adults in 21 countries, those who ate two or more daily servings of whole-fat dairy had a 22 percent lower risk of heart disease and 34 percent lower risk of stroke than those who ate less dairy.
Heart Health: 1 Aspirin A Day Keeps Your Heart OK
The American College of Cardiology recommends that healthy people ages 40 to 70 with a high heart attack risk (and low risk for bleeding) take a low-dose aspirin daily. Diabetics with moderate and high risk should also pop a pill. For those at lower risk, consult your cardiologist. The scientific data is not clear cut as there appears to be no positive affect in this population.
