Warning Signs of a Heart Attack You Should Know
Elderly Care in Monroe NJ
In your role as a family caregiver you are not responsible just for helping your aging parent manage their current health conditions and fill their needs on a regular basis. Instead, it is your role to understand the risks that they are facing and help them to make decisions and lifestyle moves that will help them to reduce those risks and stay healthier, stronger, and more active as they age in place. One of the most important parts of this awareness is being able to recognize when your aging loved one might be encountering a potentially serious health complication, such as a heart attack.
Some of the warning signs of a heart attack that you should know so that you can respond quickly and effectively include:
- Discomfort in the chest. While often described as chest “pain”, it is important to note that this not always true pain. Instead, your parent might feel pressure, fullness, or squeezing. It is vital to pay attention to any sensations that your loved one experiences in their chest, particularly when in conjunction with other symptoms.
- Other discomfort. Whether your parent is experiencing pain in their chest or not, pay attention to other feelings of discomfort or pain throughout their upper body. This can include their jaw, neck, stomach, back, or either arm. While many people think of pain in the left arm as a tell-tale sign of a heart attack, the pain or discomfort can exist in either arm.
- Difficulty breathing. Another symptom that can exist with or without the expect chest pain or discomfort is shortness of breath. If your parent is having difficulty breathing when they are not physically exerting themselves or are not recovering after exertion, it could be an indication of a heart attack.
If your aging parent has recently suffered a heart attack or they have risk factors that put them at increased risk of suffering such an attack, now is the ideal time for you to consider starting home care for them. The highly personalized services of an in-home senior care services provider are designed to address your elderly loved one’s individual needs in a way that helps them stay healthy, safe, and comfortable, but that also respects their need for independence, autonomy, and fulfillment as they age in place. When it comes to helping them keep their heart healthier, this home care provider can encourage your aging loved one to eat a balanced diet, stay active, and manage their health conditions that can impact their heart health. Together with the support and care that you give them, these services enable your parent to live the lifestyle that they want while reducing their risk of heart attack. If your parent has already suffered a heart attack or they are at particular risk for such an event, this care provider can act as a second set of eyes for you, monitoring their condition and health. This way if your parent shows the warning signs of a potential heart attack they can act promptly and let you know so that you can ensure that your parent gets the care that is right for them.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring elderly care in Monroe, NJ or the surrounding areas, please call Independence Home Care today at 609-208-1111 for more information.
Sources:
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HeartAttack/Heart-Attack_UCM_001092_SubHomePage.jsp
https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm