Home Care: Signs Of Heart Disease Seniors Shouldn’t Ignore
Home Care: Heat disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.
And heart disease is more common among seniors than other age groups. February is American Heart Month so now is a fantastic time for seniors and their families to talk about heart disease. If your senior loved one has any of the risk factors for heart disease like obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, or a poor diet you should be watching for signs of heart disease. Family members who live far away can get help keeping an eye on a senior loved one from a home care provider. An in-home care provider can track any symptoms of heart disease they observe in your senior loved one.
If your senior loved one has any of these common signs of heart disease you should make sure that your senior loved one gets seen by a doctor as soon as possible:
-Pain, Numbness, Or Tingling
Pain, numbness, or tingling that occurs in the head, shoulders, or extremities like the arms and legs could be an indication of many health conditions. However, if your senior loved one has a history of heart problems don’t ignore these symptoms. They could be indicating heart problems or even a potential heart attack.
-Shortness of Breath
If your senior loved one is a little out of breath while exercising or during some type of physical exertion that’s not a cause for concern. That’s normal, especially if your senior loved one has a primarily sedentary lifestyle. But if your senior loved one is short of breath just sitting in a chair, or lying down at night, they should be examined by a doctor.
-Chest Pain
Chest pain isn’t always heart-related. Gas and other conditions can cause some very painful chest pains that feel like they must be serious but actually aren’t. However, if the chest pains are sharp and don’t go away when your senior loved one changes position then your senior parent should get a medical checkup.
-Lightheadedness or Dizziness
Lightheadedness, when your senior parent stands or tries to walk, is never normal and should always be followed up with a medical exam. Dizziness also is a cause for concern in seniors who have a history of heart problems or who have other symptoms of heart disease.
-Headaches
Headaches might seem like a strange symptom to indicate heart disease but headaches are one of the symptoms of heart disease in seniors. Your senior loved one’s doctor will be able to tell if their headaches are related to heart disease or another medical condition.
Arrhythmia
Arrhythmia is a quick disruption in the function of the heart. It can feel like a fluttering or a quick few beats of the heart instead of the heart’s usually slow and steady beat. Arrhythmia is a medical condition that can be related to heart disease or it can be a stand-alone condition. A doctor will need to examine your senior loved one to determine if your senior parent’s Arrhythmia is a symptom of heart disease.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Home Care in Glenview, Il, call the caring staff at LifeCare Home Health & In-Home Services. Call (888) 606-4199 LifeCare serves all of the Chicago Metro Area.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/heart-health-and-aging
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