Heart Failure And Old Age: What Is New To Know? Health Tips

The mortality rate of heart failure increases with aging, and it is essential that time visits to the doctor and accompanying medication under supervision can improve quality of life.

World Heart Day 2022: Like a car engine, the heart works constantly to keep our body functioning. But with age, the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs, which can gradually lead to heart failure. Therefore, heart failure is a condition where the heart cannot sustain its workload. The heart-related disease is the single most common cause of death in patients over 65, and early detection can help. In addition, the elderly heart often exhibits age-related changes due to various underlying problems such as hypertension, diabetes, and thickening of the heart. Dr. Sudhir Saxena, Senior Director and HOD, Department of Cardiology, Max Superspeciality Hospital, explains everything about heart failure in the elderly.

Elderly Heart Failure

Heart failure in the elderly has no specific symptoms; Most elderly patients go undiagnosed, and by the time they present at the hospital, it is too late for any intervention. However, fatigue, shortness of breath, and leg swelling are the most common symptoms that can be caused by heart failure. Sometimes fluid inside the lungs can cause shortness of breath; In such cases prop up with an extra pillow for easier breathing.

Heart Examination

Anyone over the age of 65 should see their doctor for regular check-ups and a mandatory heart test to assess its function. This will not only allow early diagnosis of heart disease but also help in taking measures to prevent cardiovascular death. In addition, it is important to know that regardless of age, simple steps such as avoiding smoking, promoting physical activity, controlling blood pressure, controlling diabetes, preventing obesity, and a healthy diet will improve cardiac health.

Lifestyle Changes

With exciting breakthrough treatment methods and drugs, heart failure is no longer a disease to be feared. Treatment under the supervision of an experienced cardiologist is the key to increasing quality of life. Lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet (fruits and vegetables, lean meats, low-fat dairy, whole grains, beans, and legumes), a salt-restricted diet, smoking cessation, and optimal exercise are the cornerstones of all heart failure treatments. Studies have shown that optimal exercise improves lung function and relieves stress and anxiety. It’s all about stretching every day, so muscles and joints are loose and flexible.

Conclusion

Timely medicine and efforts of loved ones have worked wonders in the elderly. However, for emotional and safety reasons, companionship is necessary to avoid the isolation and depression associated with the disease. Soon we will have access to small devices implanted in a person’s body without the need for surgery. This will allow doctors to see how the heart is doing in real-time and start treatment accordingly.