Page 51 - February 2023 Issue.indd

might also do a blood test to check the • How can I tell if I’m having in the electrical system that
levels of proteins that are markers of a heart attack? If I think I’m can lead to arrhythmias—a

inflammation in the body and suggest having one, what should I do? rapid, slowed, or irregular
you have an electrocardiogram (ECG heartbeat—and/or the need
Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

or EKG). This test looks at electrical for a pacemaker. Valves—the
activity in your heart. A chest x-ray will How Your Heart Changes with Age one-way, door-like parts that
show whether your heart is enlarged People age 65 and older are much open and close to control blood
or your lungs have fluid in them; more likely than younger people to flow between the chambers

both can be signs of heart failure. Th e suff er a heart attack, to have a stroke, of your heart—may become
doctor might do a blood test for brain or to develop coronary heart disease thicker and stiff er. Stiff er valves

natriuretic peptide (BNP), a hormone (commonly called heart disease) and can limit the flow of blood out
that increases in heart failure. If the heart failure. Heart disease is also a of the heart and become leaky,
cardiologist needs to determine your major cause of disability, limiting the both of which can cause fl uid to
heart or valve function, he or she may activity and eroding the quality of life build up in the lungs or in the
order an echocardiogram, a painless of millions of older people. body (legs, feet, and abdomen).
test which uses sound waves to produce • The chambers of your heart

images of your heart in motion. Aging can cause changes in the heart may increase in size. Th e heart
and blood vessels. For example, as you
To learn more about heart disease, visit get older, your heart can’t beat as fast wall thickens, so the amount
the National Heart, Lung, and Blood during physical activity or times of of blood that a chamber can
Institute. stress as it did when you were younger. hold may decrease despite the
increased overall heart size.
However, the number of heartbeats per

Questions to Ask Your Doctor The heart may fill more slowly.
minute (heart rate) at rest does not
Ask your doctor questions to learn Long-standing hypertension
change significantly with normal aging.

more about your risk for heart disease is the main cause of increased
and what to do about it. Learn what Changes that happen with age may thickness of the heart wall, which
you can do if you are at increased risk increase a person’s risk of heart disease. can increase the risk of atrial

or already have a heart problem. A major cause of heart disease is the fibrillation, a common heart
• What is my risk for heart disease? buildup of fatty deposits in the walls rhythm problem in older people.
of arteries over many years. Th e good • With increasing age, people
• What is my blood pressure?
news is there are things you can do become more sensitive to salt,
• What are my cholesterol to delay, lower, or possibly avoid or which may cause an increase
numbers? (These include total reverse your risk. in blood pressure and/or ankle

cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and or foot swelling (edema).
triglycerides.) Make sure your Check Your Blood Pressure
doctor has checked a fasting As you get older, it’s important for you Other factors, such as thyroid disease
blood sample to determine to have your blood pressure checked or chemotherapy, may also weaken the

your cholesterol levels. regularly, even if you are healthy. heart muscle. Things you can’t control,

This is because aging changes in your like your family history, might increase
• Do I need to lose weight
arteries can lead to hypertension. You your risk of heart disease. But, leading
for my health?

may feel fine but, if not treated, high a heart-healthy lifestyle might help you
• What is my blood sugar blood pressure could lead to stroke and avoid or delay serious illness.
level, and does it mean that problems with your heart, eyes, brain,
I’m at risk for diabetes? and kidneys. To manage high blood If you have questions, please speak to
• What other screening tests pressure, exercise, dietary changes, and your primary care provider.
do I need to tell me if I’m reducing your salt intake can help, but ALSO REMEMBER…….
at risk for heart disease and as aging changes in the arteries oft en Recognizing “National Wear Red
how to lower my risk? cause high blood pressure in older Day® on the first Friday in February
age, medication is oft en necessary. It
• What can you do to help by wearing red and encourage others
is not uncommon to need more than
me quit smoking? to do the same helps raise awareness
one medication to control your blood
that heart disease is largely preventable.
• How much physical activity do I pressure.
need to help protect my heart? Caroline Medical Adult Day Care
Age can cause other changes to the
• What’s a heart-healthy would like to remind you to enjoy your
heart. For example:
eating plan for me? February, and stay safe and warm.

• There are age-related changes
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