With February being Heart Month, now is a great opportunity to focus on your cardiovascular health.
The heart is a strong muscle that pumps blood throughout the rest of the body – like an engine that keeps us running. As we age, however, the heart starts going through some natural changes that we should keep in mind:
- The arteries thicken and lose elasticity which can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of a heart attack.
- The heart valves thicken and become stiffer. This limits the flow of blood or makes the valves leaky, both of which can cause fluid to build up in the lungs, or the legs, feet, and abdomen.
- The chambers of the heart may increase in size over time. The heart wall can also thicken, decreasing the amount of blood the chambers can hold. This might cause atrial fibrillation, a type of arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeat) that increases the risk of a stroke.
- The muscles of the heart can weaken which reduces the ability to pump blood as efficiently, leading to fatigue and less stamina for physical activity.
- The heart has a natural pacemaker (the sinoatrial or SA node) that controls the heartbeat. Over time, it loses some of its cells, making the heart unable to beat as fast during physical activity or times of stress.
These changes can unfortunately increase the risk of heart disease, which is the second leading cause of death for men and women in Canada. Luckily, many of the effects of aging on the heart can be reduced by a combination of three things: proper medication, a healthy diet, and keeping your body moving!
Your pharmacy team can help you manage your medications and find the right balance for your specific circumstances, and give you tools and knowledge that makes it easy to incorporate those medications into your daily routine. But did you know that your pharmacist can also advise you on the other two pieces of the puzzle? Most don’t think of diet and exercise as medicine, but in this case, they are key in improving your overall heart health.
While prescription medication will help keep your heart beating, the most impactful thing you can do to improve heart health is exercise. Staying active improves circulation, lowers blood pressure, strengthens the heart muscle, and helps keep the arteries flexible. Even just 30 minutes of exercise a day is one of the best ways to maintain a healthy heart as you age. Find an activity you enjoy (walking, biking, swimming, dancing or yoga, just to name a few) and make it part of your daily routine. And when you pair fitness with a balanced diet, stress reduction, and quitting smoking or consuming too much alcohol, the effect exercise has on your cardiovascular health is greatly improved.
Heart Attack Symptoms
Now more than ever, it’s also important to be aware of heart attack symptoms. They can sometimes be less obvious, especially in older adults. Here are some signs to watch for:
- Chest pain or discomfort (pressure, tightness, or squeezing)
- Pain in the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
- Shortness of breath, with or without chest pain
- Breaking out in a cold sweat
- Feeling nauseous or light-headed
- Extreme fatigue or dizziness
If you experience any of these symptoms, don’t wait! Seek medical attention right away by calling 911. Even if you’re unsure it’s a heart attack, acting fast can help save your life.
If you have questions about your heart health, don’t be shy about asking your pharmacist. This Heart Month, prioritize a healthy heart and make choices to help protect it for years to come. Your heart will thank you!