People of age 65 and older are at a higher risk of suffering a heart attack or develop heart disease. It may take weeks or even months to potentially recover from a heart attack as the time taken to recover from a heart attack depends on its severity as well as how quickly it was treated.
After getting a heart attack and thankfully surviving, how can you help take better care of your loved ones? For a speedy recovery, make sure to always follow the doctor’s advice and here are some additional tips for you to help your ageing parents prevent future heart attack occurrence!
1. Make sure they follow a healthy diet
A common reason for heart attacks is due to unhealthy diets which led to one having high blood pressure and high cholesterol. By eating right, it will definitely help to prevent future occurrence of heart attacks.
a. Avoid trans and saturated fats.
Fats will clog the arteries which prevents blood from flowing to the heart, resulting in a heart attack.
b. Reduce sodium intake.
By limiting your loved ones’ intake of sodium, you will help to lower the risk of getting high blood pressure. As such, reducing the strain on his/her heart.
c. Eat fewer calories.
Controlling their food intake will help to manage their weight, preventing them from getting overweight which may also put a strain on their heart.
d. Consume more fruits and vegetables.
Eating whole and fresh produce ensures that your loved ones receive the essential vitamins and minerals to keep them healthy and protect them from heart diseases.
2. Be their exercise buddy
Exercise helps to strengthen the heart muscle and pump blood, increasing the amount of oxygen circulating in the body. It is important to find an exercise program that is safe for your loved one’s health condition. Make exercising a group activity so your loved ones will feel even more motivated to exercise! Some group aerobic exercises may include swimming, cycling, jogging or brisk walking.
Before starting an exercise routine, make sure to check with your loved one’s doctor to determine the level of activity that is suitable for him/her.
3. Be aware that your loved one may get another heart attack
After experiencing a heart attack, your loved one is still at a risk of having another. However, many fail to recognise their next heart attack as it might differ from the first one. Some may experience extreme severe pain while others have no symptoms at all. However, the more signs you have, there is a greater chance that your loved one may be experiencing a heart attack again.
Some of the common signs of heart attack may include:
Tightness or pain in the chest or arms that may spread to the neck or jaws
Shortness of breath
Cold sweat
Sudden dizziness or lightheadedness
Abdominal pain, indigestion or heartburn
If your loved one is experiencing the symptoms of a heart attack, you should call for an ambulance immediately.