Heart Health in Gastonia and Lincolnton

Did you know that in the U.S., someone dies from heart disease every 33 seconds?

February is National American Heart Month. A time to remind ourselves about the importance of heart health. As we age, our hearts have to work harder due to natural changes. This, paired with a sedentary lifestyle and/or an unbalanced diet go a long way in contributing to heart disease. That’s why it is important to know the changes your heart goes through and ways to reduce your chance of developing heart disease.

Does My Age Affect My Risk of Heart Disease?

As mentioned earlier, as we grow older, our hearts need to work harder. For example, during physical activity, your heart can’t beat as fast as it used to, which causes blood to move throughout the body at a slower rate. Another change that occurs is that the chambers in your heart actually increase in size. The wall of the heart thickens, so the amount of blood that can be held will also decrease. This leads to an increased risk of atrial fibrillation, which in turn increases the risk of a stroke. Thus, the natural changes to your heart may increase your risk of developing heart disease. The good news is that there are many ways you can counteract this increased risk.

How Can I Improve My Heart Health?

If you’re looking to improve your heart health, here are a few tips that can help. These are meant for seniors, but are applicable to all age groups.

• Exercise regularly – try to get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise each week. This includes brisk walking, water aerobics, and cycling.
• Quit smoking
• Maintain a healthy weight for your age – many foods are great for heart health, but even more that are bad for your heart. In general, stay away from fatty foods and eat a lot of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Know your numbers – learn what your cholesterol level and your blood pressure typically are. These two factors greatly influence your heart health.

Local Resources

Fyre Regional Medical Center – They offer an integrated approach to heart care that spans the spectrum from prevention and diagnostic care to interventional treatments and rehabilitation.

CaroMont Health – They provid comprehensive and award-winning cardiovascular care, including innovative procedures for chest pain evaluation, open heart surgery, and post-hospital support.

Atrium Health – The Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute in Gastonia delivers lifesaving care for every kind of heart and vascular condition.

Griswold Can Help

If you or a loved one is facing heart health challenges in Gastonia, Lincolnton, or nearby areas, we want you to know that Griswold is here for you. While we don’t offer medical services, our in-home care options provide personal care, homemaking, and companionship through our compassionate Caregivers. Our goal is to make sure you feel secure and supported.

Whether you need just a few hours of respite care each week or require round-the-clock assistance, we are dedicated to helping you. Please reach out to us at (704) 266-6952 today to discuss how we can create a personalized care plan tailored to your needs. In many situations, we can have a Caregiver in your home within 24 hours.