A regular heart health check in Raleigh, NC, is essential for senior care and prevention. Your tests may include cholesterol checks, blood pressure readings, blood sugar tests, stress tests, echocardiograms (heart ultrasound), and electrocardiograms (EKG).
According to the CDC, heart disease remains the leading killer among Americans, with someone dying every 34 seconds from cardiovascular disease. However, early detection can help avoid some of the chronic issues attached to poor heart and cardiovascular health, such as stroke and heart attacks.
TerraBella Northridge encourages residents to stay on top of regular senior wellness checks that can help detect early signs like high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Expect your practitioner to provide personalized prevention advice, such as diet changes and exercise suggestions.
What Happens at a Heart Health Check?
During routine screenings for seniors, a heart checkup will start with a general assessment of your overall health history and vital sign checks.
Your doctor will need to listen to your heartbeat through a stethoscope. During this time, you’ll have to sit still and breathe normally as they move the stethoscope around on your chest. This test checks for any unusual sounds, murmurs, and rhythms that indicate heart malfunction.
The EKG test examines your heart’s electrical activity. Your doctor will take electrodes and attach them to your chest, arms, and legs. These pads are connected to wires connected to a machine, which will print out your heartbeats on a sheet of paper.
Blood work is also very important during your heart health check. After drawing blood, the lab results will be checked for:
- HDL (good cholesterol)
- LDL (bad cholesterol)
- Blood sugar levels
- Markers related to kidney function
- Triglycerides
Will I Need Additional Follow-Up?
Depending on the initial results from your primary heart tests and your overall health history, your doctor may need additional heart assessments. These extra screenings may include another EKG while you exercise, also known as a stress test.
If you have high-risk factors like diabetes, high cholesterol, or family history, a CT scan that measures your artery calcium may be required to detect plaque buildup. Plaque in the arteries can indicate coronary artery disease (CAD). The echocardiogram test creates images of your heart using ultrasound.
How Can I Prepare for the Heart Exam?
For a heart health test that includes a blood sugar screening, your doctor may advise you to fast in some capacity beforehand. Adjust your morning routine if necessary to skip the coffee or large breakfast. You should also avoid smoking before your appointment.
Make sure you dress in loose-fitting clothing that will make it easy for your practitioner to put the blood pressure cuff on your arm. Something that easily zips off or has buttons in front is ideal. Wear shoes that can slip off quickly as well.
If you take any medication, bring a list of them for your doctor to note. If you often get stressed out during these types of visits, try something calming like listening to music or practicing meditation beforehand.
For an EKG, avoid wearing too many skin products like lotions and oils, as they can make the electrodes too slippery to attach.
How Can Seniors Practice Good Aging Heart Care?
Your lifestyle choices and scheduled screenings play a role in protecting your aging heart.
Schedule Screenings
During your annual primary care visit, your doctor conducts a full screening that includes monitoring your heart activity. However, you may need more regular visits as you age if you have chronic problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or a risky family history. You can also check your own blood pressure daily at home.
Diet and Lifestyle
Proper diet and hydration are essential for a healthy heart at any age. A balanced diet should include a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Limit your sodium, sugar, and saturated fat intake.
Moderate activity, from brisk walking to yoga to Tai chi, can contribute to an active lifestyle that’s safe for seniors. Since additional weight puts stress on the heart, you may need to lose weight if your doctor notices a high BMI.
Do you smoke or enjoy your happy hours? If so, you may need to cut back or cut them out completely, as smoking can severely damage blood vessels. Excessive alcohol intake also plays a role in raising blood pressure and blood sugar.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cardiac Health for Older Adults
What Are Three Early Warning Signs Your Heart Is Failing?
The three main signs of a poor heart include:
- Shortness of breath
- Edema
- Fatigue
You may start to notice that you’re increasingly becoming breathless during simple tasks or while lying flat. It can happen due to fluid backing up into the lungs.
Your heart pumps oxygen-rich blood through the body. Therefore, when it’s not able to pump it efficiently, it can cause your body to weaken, making any physical exertion more difficult than normal.
Edema, or swelling, results from fluid building in your lower extremities, such as your feet, legs, and ankles. It happens because your heart struggles to move the blood upward, which creates rapid weight gain and puffiness in the lower areas.
What Are Ten Warning Signs of High Cholesterol?
Regular blood testing may be the only way to know that you have high cholesterol, as it’s often a silent issue until a heart attack strikes.
However, you can look out for the following signs:
- Shortness of breath
- Numbness or tingling in your limbs
- Leg cramps
- Fatty skin deposits
- Fatigue
- High blood pressure
- Dizziness
- Cold extremities
- Slow-healing sores
- Chest pain
Get a Regular Heart Health Check
A heart health check for seniors is a vital part of ongoing health care. A strong heart is essential for a vibrant lifestyle as it provides the energy to engage with life and avoid chronic problems. You may need standard blood tests like blood pressure readings and blood sugar tests. However, more intensive screenings may be required due to family history and lifestyle concerns, such as smoking or previous heart attacks.
The community at TerraBella Northridge provides heart health supportive amenities such as three daily nutritious meals, 24-hour care, walking paths, a senior-specific wellness/fitness program, a garden, and a safe neighborhood. Learn more about us by contacting us online or calling 984.231.6041 to book a tour.
