Heart Disease and the Elderly

Americans are living longer, healthier lives then ever before. Much of this can be attributed to advances in medicine.  However, the most important factor in your health is YOU.  What YOU know and what YOU do can make a difference in how long you live, and the quality of life you will have as you get older. 

In the United States, cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death.  According to the American Heart Association, deaths from cardiovascular disease increase 79% in people aged 55 to 65 compared to people aged 45 to 54.   Women generally develop coronary heart disease (CAD) approximately 10 later than men.  The risk of other cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, peripheral arterial disease (which can lead to amputation), blood clots, stroke, arrhythmias (irregular heart beats), and heart failure increase as we age. The major modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease include:
    1.Diabetes Mellitus is the Number 1 risk factor. 
    2.Tobacco Use is the Number 2 risk factor.
    3.Hypertension is blood pressure above 120/80.
    4.High Cholesterol,  even if your cholesterol is normal, you may be prescribed medication for cholesterol to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
    5.Sleep Apnea is characterized by snoring at night, daytime sleepiness, and fatigue. Sleep apnea can lead to early heart disease. 
    6.Sedentary Lifestyles & Obesity decrease overall heath and fitness. Exercise decreases the risk for cardiovascular disease. Modest low-impact exercise, performed 30 minutes 3-5 times a week, is best for seniors.   
With or without risk factors, you may still have a heart attack.  Symptoms may be rapid in onset, or occur over a few days. The warning signs include:

• Chest discomfort (pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain) lasting more than a few minutes.
• Other pain/discomfort in the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
• Shortness of breath
• Unexplained, increasing fatigue over days or weeks
• Other symptoms: breaking out in a sweat, nausea, or light-headedness.

While many people experience the "classic" chest pain syndrome associated with a heart attack, some people, particularly those with diabetes, may have no symptoms at all, or only a general feeling of malaise.  If these symptoms describe how you are feeling, you should call your physician immediately, or call 911 for severe symptoms.    Acting in time can often prevent disability and death from a heart attack.