By presidential proclamation every year since 1964, February is designated as American Heart Month. This annual observation honors a somber truth: heart disease is the most serious health issue we face. It is the leading cause of death in the United States every year, and the incidence of heart disease is unfortunately on the rise. But American Heart Month also provides an opportunity to raise awareness and to fight back against the disease by renewing our dedication to heart-healthy lifestyle changes, and by helping our senior loved ones — who are most at risk — do the same.

Here’s another truth: heart disease can be preventable.

Quit smoking. Achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Control blood sugar and cholesterol with better food choices and prescription medications. Monitor and treat high blood pressure. Reduce stress and find the time for regular physical activity. And of course, learn the symptoms of cardiovascular disease and talk to your doctor or medical team regularly.

We know that you and your loved ones have heard all of these recommendations before. And we know that it is not easy to make lifestyle changes. But step-by-step, day-by-day, it can be done. And we want to help, so we’ve included a lot of links below with real information that you can use.

Do your research

First, review the stats, symptom lists and tips for heart-healthy caregiving in our Heart Health for Seniors downloadable PDF. Then check out our Cholesterol Reducing Recipes PDF, where you’ll find actually tasty heart-healthy recipes to tempt the seniors in your life. Who can resist chicken pot pie and baked apples?

Explore your resources

Next up, visit the National Institutes of Health (NIH) American Heart Month resource page, which includes a wealth of information on everything from how to quit smoking to how to get enough sleep. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) American Heart Month toolkits page has even more information on heart disease risks, education and prevention, and includes downloadable resources in both English and Spanish. Then please visit the National Institute on Aging link below and download a copy of the Get Fit for Life handbook, which has recently been made available in Spanish as well. This handbook is a terrific resource for seniors and family caregivers as it offers detailed assistance on safely and enjoyably starting and sticking with an exercise program — even for people who have never exercised before or have physical barriers or chronic conditions. Regular physical activity is an essential part of a heart-healthy lifestyle, and we can’t recommend this handbook enough!

Get in touch

Finally, give us a call. Overture Home Care caregivers can take the stress out of organizing medications, scheduling medical appointments and monitoring vital signs. They can also provide companionship and assistance with light exercise programs, shop for groceries and prepare heart-healthy meals. Get your free consultation today by calling us 24/7 at (817) 887-9401.