February 26, 2021 – Ardmore, PA – February is American Heart Month, and many organizations in the country are working to raise awareness of heart disease. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) says that approximately 655,000, or 1 in every 4 Americans, die from heart disease each year. Heart disease is a vital concern for seniors, as older adults have considerably higher chances of suffering from heart disease than younger people. Neighborly Home Care outlines a few habits that could hurt your heart and a few tips on how to live a healthier life.

Habits That Could Hurt Your Heart

Some routine habits can negatively impact people’s hearts and can increase the risk of heart disease. Poor nutrition habits such as eating foods that contain high amounts of calories, sodium, and unhealthy fats (coffee creamer, diet soda, chips, French fries), play a significant role in the likelihood of heart disease, as is a lack of physical exercise. Even feeling too stressed out can increase heart disease risk, as stress raises blood pressure, which puts more strain on the heart and arteries.

A few other habits that can negatively impact your heart health, and that you should know for American Heart month include the following:

• Sleeping less than 6 or more than 9 hours a night: Poor or inconsistent sleeping has shown heart disease links.
• Driving in heavy traffic: Traffic jams increase stress, lead to more time being sedentary, and contribute to air pollution, all of which increase the risk of heart disease.
• Having chronic anger: Chronic anger can lead to increased stress, which puts a strain on the heart and arteries, as mentioned previously.
• Not flossing your teeth: Many studies suggest a link between gum disease and heart disease, as inflamed gums are believed to lead to inflammation throughout the entire body, straining the heart.
• Not getting a flu shot: The flu can put stress on the heart, and one study found that people are 6 times more likely to suffer a heart attack within 1 week of getting the flu.

These habits all increase the risk of heart disease, even more so when one practices more than one of them. Changing these habits can be challenging for both young and elderly adults. Seniors can have an especially challenging time changing these behaviors, due to their age and other health conditions. For American Heart Month, we offer you and your elderly loved ones a few tips on how you can improve your heart health.

Habits That Can Help Your Heart for American Heart Month

Here are a few tips and habits that you and your loved ones can use to improve your heart health and reduce your risk of heart disease.

1. Eat healthier food and cut back on fried foods and food high in sodium and fat.
2. Try to get regular, moderate-intensity exercise every week (CDC recommends at least 150 minutes).
3. Take time every week to manage stress and anger. Try engaging in relaxing or fun hobbies.
4. Get between 7-9 hours of sleep every night, and have a consistent sleeping schedule.
5. Floss your teeth more often and consistently and make sure to get flu shots.

You should also work with your doctor or other healthcare professionals to manage heart conditions such as high blood pressure or cholesterol. Maintaining a healthy heart can be challenging for all people, as breaking old, harmful habits can take considerable time and work. With time, effort, and support, you and your loved ones can reduce your heart disease risk, help others make similar changes, and lead a healthier life.

About Neighborly Home Care

Neighborly Home Care is a quality in-home care agency that provides elder care services in Philadelphia, Montgomery, Chester, Delaware, and Bucks Counties in Pennsylvania, and New Castle and Kent Counties in Delaware. The company has a rigorous hiring process and generous benefits that allow them to provide skilled and compassionate caregivers. Neighborly Home Care creates individual care plans focused on helping their clients maintain autonomy within the comfort of their own homes while providing the assistance they need in their daily lives.

For more information about American Heart Month for senior health or the company’s services, please contact (610) 658-5822 or visit https://www.neighborlyhomecare.com/.