Aging affects our bodies in various ways, and learning to cope with it is essential to maintaining good health. The heart is a complex organ that plays a critical role, so it’s important to understand how aging can impact the heart. This article will cover five easy ways to improve heart health for older adults.

If you’re caring for an elderly patient and are concerned about their heart health, a professional caretaker may be able to help. Caretakers are experts in managing the health risks that elderly patients experience and can reduce stress on family members significantly. Always Responsive Home Care is an excellent option if you’re looking for home care providers in Monroe.

1. Improve Diet

The things we eat significantly impact heart health. While foods high in cholesterol and sugar can do the most damage, properly calibrating your diet to improve your heart health may require more extensive adjustments. One easy way to improve heart health is to replace red meat with chicken or fish, as even doing this on an occasional basis can have meaningful benefits over time.

While many people think of foods to avoid when considering a heart-healthy diet, you can also reap benefits by adding specific foods to your regular diet. For example, vegetables and nuts can positively impact multiple internal organs, including the heart. Therefore, adding these foods into your diet and cutting down on fat and sugar can benefit your heart.

2. Exercise Regularly

Regular exercise is essential to nearly every portion of your body’s health. Your heart is primarily composed of muscle tissue, so while you don’t want to exhaust yourself, moderate exercise is essential to maintaining a healthy heart.

While any physical activity can have positive health effects, aerobic exercise is crucial to combat cardiovascular disease. This type of exercise refers to any practice that increases your breathing and heart rate and can be effective for losing weight, one of the most reliable ways to improve heart health.

You can get this physical activity in various ways, so don’t be afraid to get creative. If a particular sport or hobby makes it easier for you to exercise regularly, consider joining a group of people who share that interest. If nothing comes to mind, walking around your neighborhood or a nearby park can still help.

3. Avoid Infection

Illnesses like influenza or pneumonia can significantly affect your heart, so avoiding infection is crucial, especially as you age. While this topic has been on everyone’s minds during the recent pandemic, it’s still beneficial to cover some basic strategies for protection.

Regularly washing or sanitizing hands and avoiding touching your face after touching public surfaces can reduce the risk of infection. Receiving vaccinations like flu shots is another excellent way to minimize damage to your heart if an infection occurs.

4. Practice Relaxation

While multiple factors contribute to heart health, stress certainly plays a role. When we carry excessive stress, more strain is put on our hearts, increasing the risk of problems. While we understand that life is stressful, especially in today’s chaotic times, it’s essential to find ways to unwind.

Many options for relaxation exist, but not all of them are accessible to the elderly. For example, while yoga can effectively relieve tension, the physical aspects of the practice can be challenging for older adults. Mindfulness presents an excellent alternative, as it contains many of the principles and breathing exercises of yoga but with far less physical involvement.

5. Think Positively

While it may sound unimportant, the way we feel has a significant impact on the health of our bodies. Negative emotions can raise blood pressure and increase heart risk, so do your best to enjoy life and focus on the positive. While it’s essential to know the warning signs of heart attacks and other health concerns, dwelling on these issues can worsen the problem.

Get Help From Always Responsive

By reading this article, you’ve learned several ways to improve heart health. However, professional caretaking can be an excellent option for managing the health of elderly patients and reducing stress.

If you need in-home caretaking services in New Jersey, there is no better option than Always Responsive Home Care. Serving Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, Somerset, Ocean, and Union Counties, Always Responsive employs a team of passionate and experienced caretakers who will provide your parent or loved one with the highest possible level of care. Call Always Responsive Home Care today at 609-208-1111 to speak to a helpful representative and discuss the ideal level of care for your needs.