Caring for a loved one who has a heart condition can be challenging. Many seniors have preexisting health conditions that affect their heart. These may include blood clots, cardiac inflammation, and atrial fibrillation. In this blog post, we will discuss some ways you can help your relative with their heart condition and how to stay alert so you can provide the best possible care.
Atrial Fibrillation and Blood Clots
Atrial fibrillation occurs when the chambers (or atria) of the heart beat irregularly due to electrical signals being misfired. This causes symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Atrial fibrillation can be both intermittent or permanent, depending on its cause and severity. Blood clots are a serious issue that can occur alongside conditions like atrial fibrillation, where blood flow is not circulating properly. Blood clot formation can lead to serious complications. Common signs of a blood clot include chest pain and shortness of breath, so it is important to be alert for these symptoms when taking care of someone with a preexisting heart condition.
Common Caregiving Requirements
One of the most important things you can do as a caretaker is to provide emotional and physical support for your loved one. This can be done by encouraging regular exercise, monitoring blood pressure and medication, helping with daily activities, being available during hospital visits or doctor appointments, and providing guidance on lifestyle changes.
Diet and Exercise
Seniors with a heart condition should avoid sodium and saturated fats. Consult a medical professional before making diet changes, and encourage your loved one to eat nutritious meals with plenty of vegetables and fruits. In addition, regular exercise can be helpful when balanced with appropriate rest. Caregivers can encourage regular, low-impact exercise like walking and stretching, but should also help limit activities that are more likely to cause injury. Some medications used to treat atrial fibrillation thin the blood, making injury from skiing or outdoor biking a bigger risk.
Medication Reminders
Caregivers should keep a close eye on medications that their relative is taking. Set a schedule of when and how often the medication needs to be taken and track of any possible side effects or changes in health that could indicate an issue. Follow a doctor's instructions whenever using medication. Some medications may need to be taken with food, others specifically away from mealtimes. Track these notes alongside the medication schedule.
Signs of an Immediate Heart Concern
The most common warning signs of an immediate heart issue include sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, and cold sweats. Other signs of a problem are fatigue, nausea, and difficulty in speech or coordination. Seek medical attention immediately if these symptoms occur.
Senior Helpers Provides Personalized Care for Seniors with Atrial Fibrillation
Although taking care of a loved one with atrial fibrillation isn't easy, helping manage medications, encouraging safe activity, and being vigilant for warning signs are great places to start. If you or your loved one need help with these parts of managing atrial fibrillation, contact Senior Helpers Rockford today. We proudly offer professional caregiving services in and around the Rockford, Belvidere, Freeport, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Winnebago County, and Stephenson County areas.