5 Ways To Stay Heart Healthy and Prevent Heart Disease
Keeping your heart healthy as you age
As you age your heart undergoes changes that make it important to do what you can to stay heart healthy. With age, your heart can’t beat as fast during physical activity and the large arteries may become less flexible. But you have a say in your heart health. Your diet, physical activity, whether you smoke, and controlling your cholesterol and blood pressure can have a big impact on your heart. Changes that happen with your heart as you age may increase your risk of heart disease. The good news is there are things you can do to delay, lower, or possibly avoid or reverse your risk.
What is Heart Disease?
Heart disease refers to a variety of heart conditions, including, heart attack, stroke, abnormal heart beats (heart arrhythmias), and heart defects (congenital heart defects). Most forms of heart disease are connected to plaque that builds up in the walls of the heart’s arteries causing them to narrow. This makes it harder for blood to flow through arteries and can result in a heart attack or stroke. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women.
Taking your health to heart
Small lifestyle changes can make a big difference in your heart health and help reduce your risk of heart disease:
1. Stay Active
Physical activity can help reduce your risk for conditions that can contribute to heart disease such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Thirty minutes a day of physical activity can make a big difference. Make sure to match your activity to your needs and abilities, and talk to your doctor before starting an activity program. CarePartners of Connecticut HMO and PPO members get a SilverSneakers membership at no additional cost. Whether you play tennis, swim laps, do yoga, or lift weights, you can find an activity at one of the SilverSneakers locations near you, or visit SilverSneakers.com.
2. Eat healthy
Eating a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help reduce your risk of heart disease. Good nutrition is vital for older adults as it boosts immunity and prevents other illnesses from arising. Learn more about good nutrition here. CarePartners of Connecticut HMO and PPO members can use their Extra Discounts to save on programs that make healthy, delicious dinners easy and affordable by providing you with weekly dinner plans customized for your food preferences, dietary needs, and the specials at your local grocery store! Discover more about discount information here.
3. Keep a healthy weight
Being overweight can cause conditions that increase your risk of heart disease including high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Weight loss over 60 can be difficult for some, but there are plenty of resources you can turn to lose weight in a healthy way.
4. Manage stress
It's important to find ways to manage stress. Physical exercise, relaxation exercises, meditation and practicing mindfulness can improve your health. CarePartners of Connecticut HMO and PPO members can use their Extra Discounts to receive discounts on online meditation and yoga programs.
5. Know your numbers
Is your blood pressure normal, at risk, or high? It’s important to know your numbers. At an annual physical, your doctor will review your health status including your blood pressure and offer ways to maintain or improve.
Understanding Your Blood Pressure Numbers:
|
Top Number |
Bottom Number |
What the |
What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 120 | Less than 80 | Normal blood pressure | Maintain a healthy lifestyle |
| 120-129 | Less than 80 | Elevated Blood Pressure | Talk to your doctor about diet and lifestyle changes |
| 130-139 | 80-89 | High blood pressure (hypertension) Stage 1 |
Talk to your doctor about diet, lifestyle changes, and medication |
| 140 or higher | 90 or higher | High blood pressure (hypertension) Stage 2 |
Talk to your doctor about diet, lifestyle changes, and medication |
| Higher than 180 | Higher than 120 | Hypertensive Crisis | Talk to your doctor about diet, lifestyle changes, and medication |
Our CarePartners of Connecticut Care Management team can support you in making lifestyle changes or managing heart disease. For more information about working with Care Management, call Member Services at 1-800-701-9000 (HMO) or 1-866-623-0172 (PPO) (TTY: 711).