Heart Healthy Tips for Elderly and women

Heart Healthy Tips for the Elderly

As we age, it is even more important to pay attention to what we put inside our bodies. Everyone wants to age gracefully, but most importantly healthily.

Many elderly have concerns about their health, from their vision to their bones. Eating right and including diet and exercise are important to all of us throughout our lives. While exercise may be constricted due to frailness or ability for the elderly, some simple routines can help.

The most important thing for an older person to do when it comes to having a healthy heart, however, is to check with his or her doctor. Some green, leafy vegetables are known to interfere with certain heart medications. Always check with your doctor before beginning any regimen or changing your diet.

The best way to keep your heart healthy is to remember it in your daily routines. By keeping your body healthy, you will keep your heart healthy. Also, by keeping your mind healthy too, you will have a body that is healthy inside and out.

The Body and Mind Connection

For many seniors, isolation plays a big role in their lives. It does not have to be that way, however. Keeping active also means keeping connected. There are so many functions for seniors; there is no reason to be alone. You can find groups in many places:

* Your local place of worship

* Senior citizen centers

* Veterans clubs

* Libraries

* The internet

Activities abound for seniors as well, so that there should never be a loss for things to do and see:

* Organized museum trips

* Sporting events

* Concerts, plays, and shows

* Bus trips to various locales

Walking in fresh air is also an excellent way to keep the heart-healthy. Some companions will come to visit the elderly and walk with them if a doctor says that walking is acceptable.

Another great way to keep your heart going is to use your mind through the form of crossword puzzles and the like. Crossword puzzles and board games keep the mind sharp, which then, in turn, can keep the body on its toes.

Food for Thought and Food for the Heart

Some of the foods that keep a senior’s heart health are the very ones that keep their minds healthy, as well. This is a double bonus. Of course, as with anything else, a senior should always consult their doctor before adding anything to their diet.

Some foods that keep your mind and body sharp and healthy are:

* High fiber foods

* Fresh fruits and vegetables

* Foods high in omega 3 such as nuts, seeds, beans, and fish

A little bit of exercise for the body and the mind will go a long way for a senior who needs to look after their heart and keep fit and healthy.

Heart Healthy Tips for Women

Most women do not know this fact, but the number one killer disease of women is not breast cancer; it is heart disease. Armed with this fact, women today need to be more attuned to their bodies, what they put into it, and how they use it.

The lifestyle of women is very different today than it was just one generation ago. Women are working and managing their families. There is also the influx of single motherhood in today’s society. With all this stress put upon women, it is no wonder that heart disease is among their number one killer.

Time Is a Woman’s Best Friend

Have you ever noticed that many of today’s women are food shopping, talking on their cell phones, and tending to a small child while writing something down? Women today are experts at multi-tasking. However, to what end?

A woman has the super-hero ability to find time for everyone and everything, except for when it comes to the most important woman in her life – herself.

Finding time to instill good habits is not only essential to a woman’s health but essential to her family’s health as well. If you do not take care of yourself, who will take care of your family?

Nutrition

Find a few extra minutes in the morning to throw some healthy snacks in your bag. It could be something as simple as a few carrot sticks or some nuts and grapes. Perhaps shopping for these extra healthy snacks and putting them in a separate bag on Sunday evening to take to work will be enough to get your week off on the right foot.

Exercise

Common sense tells us that exercise is important. One hour per week is a great way to start. One hour per week is not a huge commitment and will reap benefits in health as well as attitude. You will probably notice that you will feel better after that one hour and will want to commit to doing that a little more.

In a bright red pen, put down a time one hour per week that you are going to exercise, even if it is a brisk walk during lunch.

And if there is a set of stairs that you can take instead of using the elevator, then do so. Leave yourself five extra minutes per day to walk up to work. Get off the subway or bus one stop earlier during nice weather and walk a bit.

Be held accountable by your sister, your husband, your children, or your best friend. Include them in your commitment and have them hold you accountable.

Sleep

Once you find yourself including some type of cardio into your lifestyle, you will find yourself wanting to do more. Cardio has many benefits from heart health to peace of mind to better sleep.

With all these benefits, why not really think about your loved ones and put taking care of your heart on your list of things to do today!