Heart disease is a serious threat to the health and wellness of seniors. Although the risk of heart disease increases as people age, life-threatening illness, disease, and possibly premature death do not have to be an inevitable outcome of the aging process.
The right lifestyle, habits, and diet can help seniors improve and maintain their overall health, including having a healthy heart. Since many health conditions can contribute to heart disease and heart attacks, it is important to treat all medical conditions to reduce these risks and improve overall health.
At Northfield, our caring staff understands the importance and value of activity and movement as part of a healthy lifestyle. They have designed programs to encourage residents to participate in and enjoy activities that promote heart health and many other benefits to ensure longevity and happiness. If you or a loved one is at this stage of life, find out how you can live independently and stay active by calling 844.334.1490.
How To Improve Heart Health
Physicians have known for quite some time the many risks associated with poor health, undisciplined behaviors, and stress. Sadly, many seniors who have not prioritized their health during the earlier stages experience difficulties later. Unfortunately, coronary artery disease is responsible for thousands of serious cardiac events every day, including heart failure, heart attack, chest pain, and arrhythmia.
To improve heart health, doctors recommend a combination of healthy habits and routines to reduce the risk of heart disease and improve heart health that includes:
Quitting smoking
Following a regular schedule of check-ups with a physician to monitor numbers
Reduce alcohol consumption
Minimize stress
Eat a balanced diet
Watch your weight
Get regular exercise
It is not too late to begin living a healthy lifestyle, even if you have neglected your body and health until this point. If you are like many seniors, you have probably worked all of your life in some capacity and never put your health and wellbeing at the top of the priority list. Now is the time to change and take advantage of the many health-promoting options that a residential independent living center has to offer.
Stretching For Flexibility and Balance
As people age, they naturally find it more difficult to engage in everyday activities. Even sitting in a chair or reaching for glass may seem challenging as muscle strength diminishes and flexibility is reduced. Imagine what happens to your heart, a muscle like the others, as it loses its elasticity. Unless it is strengthened, it too will not function as efficiently and effectively as the body ages.
Regular stretching allows for greater movements in the joints and improves balance and coordination. It is recommended that seniors engage in activities that stretch the muscles routinely several times per week. Maintaining flexibility and balance also prevents accidents, slips, and falls as seniors reach for something or attempt to do an activity that once came easily. If you are looking to improve your balance, flexibility, posture, and heart health, give these simple stretches a try:
Neck stretch
Shoulder and upper arm stretch
Chest stretch
Ankle stretch
Hamstring stretch
Quadriceps stretch
Lower back stretch
Stretching is convenient, requires little time, and provides many benefits toward living a healthy lifestyle. Although flexibility does not contribute directly to strengthening the heart, it provides a solid foundation for aerobic exercise and strength training.
Aerobic Exercise For Heart Health
No matter your age, it is never too late to get active. Research has shown that aerobic exercise is a major step in achieving and maintaining good heart health as well as many other health benefits, including:
Improving circulation
Lowering blood pressure and resting heart rate
Increases heart pumping efficiency
Reduces risk of Type 2 diabetes
Controls blood glucose levels
Doctors recommend at least 150 minutes of heart-pumping exercise per week. Various great activities can be done moderately to achieve this result regularly, everyday routines, such as brisk walking, swimming, and bike riding.
Discover How To Improve Your Health And Wellness At Northfield
At Northfield, we offer a broad range of activities for our seniors to participate in stretching, strength, and aerobic exercises to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Residential independent living provides seniors with the option to choose how and when they participate and remain connected with fellow residents. Whether it is a nice hike through nature, a walk in the park, or a team sport, our trained specialists focus on our residents’ health and wellness, providing them with exciting and engaging activities.
Find out how you can stay active, connected, and enjoy this stage of your life using the online form or calling 844.334.1490. One of our expert staff members will be happy to help you learn how independent residential living may be right for you or someone you love.
Originally posted: https://www.northfield-senior.com/