What’s Your Heart Health IQ? Five Important Risk Factors

Mercy LIFE’s Chief Medical Officer shares ways you can
live heart healthy all year long.

February is American Heart Month. And to cap it off, Mercy LIFE Chief Medical Officer Dr. Donna Raziano, MD, MBA, FACP offers Delaware County seniors steps to keep their hearts healthy.

“Heart health is more important than ever for seniors, who are living longer, fuller lives with the help of engaging senior programs like Mercy LIFE,” said Dr. Raziano.

The good news is keeping your heart healthy and strong well into your golden years doesn’t have to cause additional stress. It can be a simple dietary change or a simple walking regimen. Even seniors living with congestive heart failure can enjoy active, healthy lifestyles. But before making a heart health plan for the year, it’s important to learn your unique risk factors.

Dr. Raziano stresses that everyone, but especially seniors, should take note of five important risk factors for cardiovascular health.

Heart Health Risk Factors

·       Family History

• Knowing your family health history is the first step to preventing potentially dangerous symptoms. Do you have a family member who lived with congestive heart failure, or a grandparent or uncle who had a heart attack? 

• “Bring that history to the attention of your physician,” said Dr. Raziano, who helps seniors with a family history of cardiovascular disease thrive. “It’s important to disclose any information you have, so your doctor can identify potential problems before they arise.”

• Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

• Consistent high blood pressure can cause immense strain on the heart over time. If your blood pressure is consistently higher than 140, it’s time to check in with your physician. You may have what is called hypertensive heart disease, a condition in which high blood pressure over a long period of time can weaken the heart.
  
  “It’s important to identify and treat high blood pressure before it becomes more dangerous and potentially life-threatening,” said Dr. Raziano.

• High Cholesterol

• High cholesterol, which is a high level of unhealthy fat in the blood, can affect people at any age. For seniors, it’s crucial to control this health issue before it causes additional strain on the heart. Take control of heart health with smart diet and exercise choices. Dr. Raziano recommends limiting unhealthy saturated fats like fried and fast foods, and increasing daily servings of plant-based cuisine and whole grains.

• Sedentary Lifestyle

• The winter’s cold temperatures combined with more and more screen time is a recipe for disaster for even the healthiest heart. “All it takes is 150 minutes of walking per week,” said Dr. Raziano, who encourages Mercy LIFE participants to rack up minutes whenever it’s convenient – all at once or over the course of seven days. “It shouldn’t be strenuous. Even short walks can help.”

• Tobacco Use

• “Tobacco in any form, in any amount, is the worst thing you can do to your heart,” said Dr. Raziano. “Even one cigarette a week drastically increases your chances for heart disease or heart attack.” Dr. Raziano recommends quitting as soon as possible, and Mercy LIFE staff can offer support to seniors who want to help kick the habit.

Heart Healthy at Mercy LIFE

At Mercy LIFE’s four Adult Day Centers, participants have an interdisciplinary care team to help them make heart healthy choices, from the recreation therapists who plan physical activities to the spiritual counselors who recommend ways to alleviate stress and grief. Mercy LIFE is the all-inclusive choice for many Delco seniors who want to maintain a healthy lifestyle and their independence.

As part of the program, Mercy LIFE’s registered dieticians work with each participant to make over favorite family recipes into heart healthy ones.

“Participants often are surprised by how simple it is to make over a favorite meal, without losing the taste they love,” said Dr. Raziano. “From fried chicken to cheesy casseroles, any family favorite can be made healthier with a few tweaks.”

To celebrate American Heart Month, take some time to evaluate your risk factors and ways to combat them. Adapting your diet, taking a few walks weekly and avoiding tobacco use can do wonders for your heart health.

“Avoid smoking,” says Dr. Raziano. “That’s my strongest message. Tobacco use in any form is the most harmful habit for your hearth health.”

---

In January, Mercy LIFE became available to seniors throughout all of Delaware County, in addition to Philadelphia. Learn more about Mercy LIFE and how it can help you or your senior loved ones live heart healthy in 2014 by calling 215-339-4747. Take a virtual tour of Mercy LIFE’s Adult Day Centers at www.mercylife.org/virtualtour. Visit www.mercylife.org for even more information.

Taryn Duckett is the director of marketing and communications at Mercy Home Health and Mercy LIFE. Mercy Home Health and Mercy LIFE are part of the Mercy Health System of Southeastern Pennsylvania, which is headquartered in Conshohocken, Pa.