American Heart Month in Delaware County, PA

You can’t share your heart with loved ones if you don’t protect it first.

Happy American Heart Month and Valentine’s season! Now is the perfect time to brush up on common heart conditions and habits to help prevent them in the future. This is especially true for our older community members who are more prone to heart issues.

In honor of Heart Month, learn what can happen to the heart with age and how you can protect it.

How Does the Heart Change with Age?

The right side of the heart pumps blood into the lungs, and the left side pumps that blood into the body’s organs and tissues. Veins carry blood back to the heart, where it travels to the lungs to receive oxygen. The lungs then return the blood to the heart.

Many parts and functions of our bodies change as we get older. Changes in the heart and blood vessels can be normal with age, but some factors should be monitored and treated. Some changes can lead to dangerous complications, such as:

• Atrial Fibrillation (AFib): Also known as arrhythmia, AFib refers to an irregular heartbeat. This can contribute to complications like blood clots, stroke, and heart failure.
• Heart Disease: This is a known contributor to disabilities that impact quality of life. Heart disease is used to describe several conditions, including coronary heart disease (CHD) and heart attacks. CHD is caused by coronary artery disease (CAD), which involves a buildup of plaque in the walls of the coronary arteries. This limits blood flow to the heart, which can cause heart attacks. Heart disease may also refer to arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis, or angina.
• Heart Failure: This term describes the heart when it isn’t pumping as well as it should. The heart delivers oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood to cells throughout the body. When the heart doesn’t pump sufficiently, the cells can’t get enough blood. This can cause fatigue, shortness of breath, and excessive coughing in some cases. Heart failure is not a curable condition, but it can be managed with heart failure medications and healthy lifestyle habits.

How Can I Take Care of My Heart?

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends these lifestyle habits to prevent heart disease:

• Diet: Eat a healthy diet comprised of fruits, vegetables, fiber-rich whole grains, and legumes. Include fish and nuts if you can. Avoid sugary beverages and red meat.
• Exercise: Stay as physically active as you’re able to – for those who can, incorporate 150 minutes of moderate physical activity into your schedule every week. This can include brisk walks and muscle-strengthening activities.
• Stay Informed: Familiarize yourself with the warning signs of a heart attack or stroke. The signs and symptoms may differ by gender.

Several screening tests can help you monitor your cardiovascular health, including screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, body weight, and blood glucose. It’s also recommended to regularly discuss your smoking, physical activity, and dietary habits with your doctor.

Where Are Resources in Delco?

The AHA of Pennsylvania has an office in Philadelphia that hosts local events and removes barriers to training resources for critical topics like CPR. Check out their recent Philadelphia Impact Report to learn more about their efforts in Greater Philadelphia.

If you don’t know how to perform CPR, you can join the AHA’s Nation of Lifesavers. Learn hand-only CPR in under two minutes – it’s just two steps to save a life.

The Delaware County Health Department is hosting free blood pressure screenings every Wednesday throughout February. No registration required! Grab your Valentine and head to Lansdowne, Springfield, or Chester on the following dates from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.:

• Springfield YMCA: Wednesday, February 18, at 620 Engle Street, Chester, PA 19013
• Crozer Library: Wednesday, February 25, at 194 W Sproul Road, Springfield, PA 19064

Griswold In-Home Care Services

Our team provides home care services in Delaware County, PA, including cities like Broomall, Drexel Hill, Haverford, Havertown, Lansdowne, and Villanova. We can help you or your loved one navigate conditions, illnesses, and injuries with in-home support, whether you need a companion or 24-hour home care. Give us a call to learn more today!