This is a tricky discussion. Heart disease can develop at any time in your life and can develop because of several other diseases such as obesity, cancer, and diabetes, and it can also be genetic. Heart disease can develop as you age and it is important to watch for it.
We all age differently and at different rates. The human being is not on a time schedule or at least one that we are privy to. With heart disease being an important topic this month, it is important to discuss what it is so that you can see your physician if you’re concerned. A major cause of heart disease is the buildup of fatty and plaque deposits in the walls of our arteries over many years. The good news is there are things you can do to delay, lower, avoid, or even reverse your risk.
As you age, a common cardiovascular ailment would be stiffening of the blood vessels and arteries, causing your heart to work harder to pump blood. The heart muscle changes to adjust to the increased workload. Your heart rate at rest will stay about the same, but it won’t increase during activities as much as it used to. These changes increase the risk of high blood pressure (hypertension) and other cardiovascular problems.
As we age, we feel various symptoms such as:
- Bones and Joints – bone density, strength, flexibility, stability, and balance all change as we age.
- Digestion – Intestinal changes due to constipation, poor hydration, medications, and lack of exercise.
- Bladder – the bladder becomes less elastic, weakening affects control and frequency. Prostate in men can be affected. Incontinence in men and women increases.
- Cognition – memory and reasoning skills can decrease, forgetfulness of people and familiar thing, difficulty carrying out daily tasks.
- Teeth – receding gums, dry mouth, assorted tooth issues.
- Skin – thinning and losing elasticity, becoming fragile. Bruises easily and skin is often dry.
- Weight – changes in metabolism, gains due to decrease in activity from lack of mobility, and hormonal changes may occur.
As you age these changes can be subtle and won’t hit all at once. Thank goodness for that! If you want to plan for an emergency or short-term care or get some insight into some ‘what if’ scenarios, consider reaching out to us to speak with a care manager. We are professionals with experience in helping solve aging challenges by providing recommendations and options. Starting early when you first notice that your life is changing will create the relationship with a trusted care manager partner who can help guide you through options that honor your wishes. For instance, how much money will you need in the future for care or who will advocate for you in a medical emergency? Because we don’t know what tomorrow holds, having a care manager selected can be a relief. Consider the possibility before you have to go through an unplanned event.
If you’re concerned about the care of an aging loved one, please give us a call at 803-215-1019 or email us at info@longtermliaisons.com to find out how we can help.
