Each year, over 800,000 people in the United States experience a heart attack. If your senior family member has had a heart attack, you probably know exactly how terrifying it can be. Even once your loved one is out of the woods, there are still plenty of questions that will keep you fearing for the worst. What caused the heart attack, and how can you help prevent another occurrence? Will your loved one make a full recovery and return to their old self? Ultimately, understanding the immediate and long-term impacts of heart attacks on seniors and how you can support them is key to helping them get back to optimal health.
Causes of Heart Attacks in Seniors
Heart attacks are caused when a blockage in the arteries prevents blood, and therefore oxygen, from reaching the heart. Generally speaking, this is due to fatty substances that build up on artery walls over time. Risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and obesity contribute significantly to this process.
Because lifestyle factors are often the biggest contributor to heart disease, seniors are generally more susceptible to heart attacks. The severity of heart attacks in seniors can vary and, thus, recovery can look very different from case to case.
Long-Term Impact of a Heart Attack on an Elderly Relative
Having a heart attack can be life-altering for anyone. However, seniors often feel the repercussions of this event more acutely. Of course, all cases are unique, however, a senior who has suffered from a heart attack will experience the following:
- Physical effects, such as weakened muscles or tiredness
- Mental effects, including difficulty concentrating or confusion
- Emotional effects, such as anxiety about future health events
Other complications that may follow include stroke, irregular heartbeat, or coronary microvascular disease (small vessel disease), which also increases the risk of a second heart attack.
Long-Term Care Considerations to Prevent Another Heart Attack
If a senior is recovering from a heart attack, there are some key considerations to help them improve their health and prevent another attack. To start off, the senior should strive for lifestyle changes that focus on an increase in physical activity, weight loss (if necessary), quitting smoking, eating healthier meals, and limiting salt intake where possible.
Depending on the severity of the heart attack and subsequent symptoms, new medication may be prescribed by a doctor. This will help to further assist with managing risk factors such as hypertension. Additionally, rehabilitation services often prove helpful in improving strength and flexibility post-heart attack. Lastly — depending on the level of recovery still needed — consider whether home care services like those offered by Senior Helpers of Lexington may help fill any gaps for day-to-day assistance.
Senior Helpers of Lexington Can Help
Surviving a heart attack can result in its own complications, particularly among the elderly. Navigating recovery can be overwhelming but ensuring the long-term well-being of your loved one doesn't have to feel like an insurmountable task.
With the above tips and a little help from Senior Helpers of Lexington, you can help your senior family member on the road toward healthy life adjustments to keep heart disease at bay. If you have questions or need help navigating the care of a loved one, contact us today. We're proud to serve the communities of Cayce, Columbia, Irmo, Lexington, and West Columbia with premium senior care.