February is American Heart Month, a perfect time to focus on your heart health. According to the National Institute on Aging, our hearts can change as we age, and these changes may increase risks for heart disease and related conditions. However, there are steps you can take to increase awareness of your personal risks and be proactive about improving your heart health.

Recognize the Symptoms of a Heart Attack

Chest pain is one of the most common indicators of a heart attack, but it’s not the only one. Some people may not experience it at all. Knowing the full range of possible warning signs is critical so you can act quickly to reduce the risk of lasting heart damage.

Potential warning signs include:

• Crushing chest pain or pressure in the center or left side of the chest

• Pain, numbness, and/or tingling in the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back

• Shortness of breath when active, at rest, or while lying flat

• Fainting, lightheadedness, or sudden dizziness

• Rapid or irregular heartbeat

• Cold sweats

• Nausea, vomiting, or stomach upset

• Extreme fatigue

• Sudden weakness

• Anxiety

While some of these signs can be caused by other conditions, it’s safer to seek immediate medical attention.

Schedule Regular Check-Ups With Your Healthcare Provider

While it’s essential to recognize the signs of a heart attack, prevention begins with taking proactive steps before an emergency occurs. Regular visits with your healthcare provider allows you to detect and manage conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol early, helping to reduce your risks.

If you’re experiencing symptoms that you feel may be indicators of a heart condition, your physician can refer you to a cardiologist for further evaluation. Additional testing, such as an electrocardiogram or an echocardiogram, assess the heart’s electrical activity and valve function to alert you to any conditions that may require ongoing monitoring or treatment.

Develop Healthy Habits

In addition to monitoring your health conditions, you can take steps to proactively improve your heart health, such as:

• Aiming to get at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week. Strength training and aerobic exercise both benefit heart health, but be sure to check with your health care provider before starting any exercise plan.

• If you smoke, quit now. Smoking damages artery walls and puts you at higher risk for heart disease, stroke and cancer.

• Following a heart-healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and foods high in fiber. The DASH diet, a flexible and balanced eating plan, may be a good place to start as you develop healthier eating habits.

• Limiting alcohol consumption to reduce risks for dangerous medication interactions and to avoid worsening existing health conditions.

• Managing stress through physical activity, meditation, enjoying nature, talking with family and friends or seeking professional help.

• Getting good quality sleep to ensure your brain, heart and lungs can function well during the day.

Supporting Seniors on Their Journey to Better Health

At Touchstone Communities, we are committed to Making Lives Better for seniors through a best-in-class care experience. Our personalized, evidenced-based rehabilitation therapy and skilled nursing services in Texas support recovery after an illness, injury or hospital stay, helping older adults stay active and heart healthy. Contact us to learn more.