Love is in the air this month, and part of that means taking the best care possible of the ones you love. February also is a time when the nation spotlights heart disease, the number one killer of Americans. As part of American Heart Month, take some time to combine the two - focus on the heart health of the ones you love the most, including the seniors in your life. People aged 65 and older are more likely to suffer from heart attacks, strokes, and heart disease, according to the National Institute on Aging. Its time to get down to business. Focus on the heart health of the seniors in your life. Ensuring they get checked out by a medical professional is important. But also do some fun, healthy things together to promote heart health.Here are 25 tips for seniors to be heart-healthy.Make an appointment to see your primary care physician. Find out how youre doing, and see what recommendations he or she has for your heart health.Go to the free yoga classes at Venice Beach. There are classes in the morning or a sunset class at 5 p.m. each day, all for free, seven days a week.If youre still using tobacco products and smoking at this age, its time to stop. Make this the year you quit. If you have a senior loved one in your life that smokes, help them stop and make it a goal for this year.Get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked. Know your healthy ranges, and ensure you stay within those.Find some new recipes that are heart-healthy and make them together with your senior loved one.Head outside each day. Even if youre just going to fetch the mail from the mailbox, it gets you moving and out into the fresh air.Be around people. Loneliness is bad for the heart. Find friends you want to be with, join an event at the senior center, or call up a family member you havent talked to in a while.Get some Zzzs. The Centers for Disease Control says getting enough sleep is vital for heart health. Portion control is key to healthy eating. Before your meal or before you snack, measure out your portions, so you dont overeat. Head to the Peace River Gardens in Punta Gorda. There are different botanicals to see throughout the year. It is a great place to walk around and get some exercise while seeing the sculptures and artwork. There also are events to attend throughout the year.Make it a goal to walk at some different beaches this year. Try a new one each week. Hit some youve never tried before, or go back to an old favorite. Walk a little further each time you visit. Walking in the sand is great exercise, and looking at and listening to the ocean is good for the soul. Feel the sunshine on your face at least once a day if its shining, even for a minute. Whether you simply step onto your patio or head to the beach, it is a great way to get into a good mood and improve your overall health.Move a little more each day, or each week. Make some goals, such as walking one block further, or riding your bike for a minute more each week. Every little bit counts, and leads to heart healthier habits.Have you gone to the grocery store and seen some odd-looking spiky fruits and wondered what they were? Put one of those in your cart and try one for the first time. See if its something you want to add to your heart-healthy diet. It seems like everyone loves pickleball. Try it out and see if youre a fan too.Hire a caregiver that can help you get moving. Compassionate caregivers at places such as Visiting Angels Punta Gorda can provide services such as companionship on a walk around the neighborhood, or fall prevention help as you do laps in your own home. Hunt for sharks teeth at Venice Beach. Even if you dont find a lot, the act of bending down each time, sticking your hand in the water and seeing what treasures youve found is exercise, and its a fun hunt and thing to do. Watch a comedy or a funny show. Laugh out loud. As they say, laughter is the best medicine.Turn on the tunes. If you have upbeat music playing in your home or car, you cant help but bop around to it. It puts you in a good mood and adds more movement to your day. Head to a farmers market and grab some fresh fruit and vegetables. Wash them up so you have healthy, ready-to-eat snacks.Make sure your seniors get up and out of bed and moving each day. If needed, hire a caregiver that can help them get dressed and ready for the day. Being dressed and ready helps put them into the right mindset to be active and alert during the day. As youre sitting down watching a show, lift some hand weights or do some leg lifts. Make it a goal to do 20 on each limb while youre watching the nightly news before dinner. Stand more if youre able. Do some of the tasks you might usually do sitting down while standing instead. For example, pace around the house while youre on the phone instead of sitting in your comfy chair. Stretch each day. It not only keeps you more nimble, but stretching can get your heart rate up.Eat at least two servings of fish a week The omega-3 fatty acids in fish are great for heart health.Visiting Angels is Here to HelpIf you are looking for help with your senior loved one as they strive for heart health, our professionals at Visiting Angels Punta Gorda are here to help. We provide a variety of home care services to meet any need they might have, from getting dressed for a morning walk to help with light meal prep.Our expert team of caregivers serves clients in Punta Gorda, North Fort Myers, Boca Grande, Cape Coral, Sanibel, Captiva, Arcadia and surrounding areas. To learn more about our services, call us at 941-347-8288, or fill out an online form here.

Many consider February as the month to reflect on the love in their lives, but its also the time to take a beat for cardiovascular health. American Heart Month is an opportunity to build awareness around healthy living and heart health in seniors.As we age, the risk of heart disease and stroke increases. Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in older adults, so maintaining heart health is crucial in reducing the risk of these conditions and improving overall health. Healthy hearts also allow for increased physical activity and energy levels, which help seniors stay more active, be more independent, and have the ability to engage in meaningful activities and relationships.Maintaining heart health also can lead to a longer lifespan. Here are some lifestyle changes and healthy habits seniors can adopt to keep their hearts healthy and reduce their risk for heart disease:Exercise regularly: Regular physical activity, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming, can help improve cardiovascular fitness, reduce the risk of heart disease, and improve overall health. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise on most days of the week.Eat a healthy diet: A diet low in saturated and trans fats and high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein can help lower the risk of heart disease. Limit the amount of salt, sugar, and processed foods in your diet.Quit smoking: Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease. Smoking cessation can significantly reduce the risk of heart problems and improve overall health.Control blood pressure: High blood pressure and heart disease go hand-in-hand. Regular check-ups with a healthcare provider and medications, if needed, can help keep blood pressure under control.Manage stress: Chronic stress can contribute to heart disease. Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as exercise, meditation, or spending time with loved ones.Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese can lead to health problems, but maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise can help lower the risk.Get enough sleep: Lack of sleep can increase the risk of heart disease, so seniors should catch 7 to 9 hours of zzzs each night.Following these healthy habits can improve heart health in seniors and reduce their risk of heart disease. If a heart event does occur, cardiac rehabilitation can be a valuable part of the recovery process.WHAT IS CARDIAC REHABILITATION?Cardiac rehabilitation plays a critical role in helping seniors recover and improve their physical and mental health after a heart event, such as a heart attack, angioplasty, bypass surgery, or heart failure. Its a multidisciplinary program in senior care to help them reduce the risk of future heart problems, improve their overall quality of life, and return to normal activities as soon as possible.The exercise component of cardiac rehabilitation typically includes low- to moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as walking, cycling, or using an elliptical machine, as well as resistance training to build muscle strength and endurance. The education component of cardiac rehab may include information on healthy lifestyle changes, such as improving diet, quitting smoking, and managing stress, as well as medications and medical procedures related to heart health.BENEFITS OF CARDIAC REHABILITATIONCardiac rehabilitation plays a vital role in the recovery process of older adults who have experienced a heart event. Rehabilitation therapy supports senior heart health by helping reduce the risk of future heart problems and improving overall well-being. Cardiac rehab can also help older adults:Manage heart disease: Seniors with heart disease may choose to participate in cardiac rehabilitation as part of their management plan. The program can help reduce risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity.Improve physical function: Seniors experiencing decreased physical function or those at risk for heart disease may participate in cardiac rehabilitation to improve cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, and endurance.Manage chronic conditions: Seniors with chronic conditions, such as diabetes or COPD, may opt for cardiac rehabilitation as part of their overall management plan. The program can help improve physical function and reduce the risk of complications related to these conditions.SENIOR CARE & CARDIAC REHAB AT PREMIER PLACEPremier Place is The Glenview at Pelican Bays onsite health and rehabilitation center for exceptional senior care in a comfortably elegant coastal setting. Offerings include short-term, post-acute and long-term care, and inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation therapies for complex medical conditions, including cardiac events.Our experienced team of healthcare professionals includes nurses, therapists and aides who provide comprehensive care to Glenview residents and others needing senior care in Naples and the surrounding area. The team works closely with seniors, their families, their doctors and caregivers to ensure every healing moment matters and provide the support they need throughout their entire recovery.Premier Places award-winning spa-like atmosphere, luxury amenities, spacious private suites, dynamic therapy gym, personalized treatment plans, and chef-prepared fine dining are designed to promote health and healing and help seniors get back to feeling their best as soon as possible.Explore Premier Place online to learn more about our centers first-class hospitality, holistic approach to health and healing, and expertise and collaboration to support exceptional care for seniors.

Atrial fibrillation (A-fib) and heart failure are increasing in prevalence worldwide and often associated with poor outcomes. However, some people are not aware they have atrial fibrillation until it is detected when a doctor is listening to the heart with a stethoscope. If you have difficulty breathing, or have chest pains lasting more than a few minutes, it is recommended to seek medical help.  Someone with A-fib can still live a long and active life with treatment from their doctor and self-management.Treatment may include medications, therapy, surgery, or catheter procedures, in order to reset the heart rhythm, control heart rate, and prevent blood clots that can lead to strokes.Self-management includes following a heart-healthy lifestyle with changes such as:Eating heart-healthy foodsExercising regularlyQuit smokingMaintain a healthy weightLimit alcoholKeep blood pressure and cholesterol under controlGet follow-up careLearn more:Atrial fibrillation [Internet] Mayo Clinic. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atrial-fibrillation/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350630