Why Are Seniors with Diabetes at Risk for Heart Problems?
According to the American Heart Association, there is a strong correlation between diabetes and heart disease. Statistics show that 68 percent of older adults who have diabetes die from heart disease and 16 percent die from stroke. In fact, they say that people with diabetes are at as much as a four times higher risk for dying because of heart disease than are people who do not have diabetes. Diabetes is believed to increase the risk for cardiovascular diseases because people who have diabetes often have other conditions that also increase the chances of developing cardiovascular diseases, such as those described below.
Excess Weight
Obesity is considered one of the biggest risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. It is also believed to be a major contributor to insulin resistance. Both obesity and insulin resistance have been linked to high blood pressure, one of the top risk factors for stroke. Losing weight can reduce risk for both diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
Senior care can help older adults who are trying to lose weight by cooking healthy meals and offering encouragement as they work toward their goals.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure causes the heart to work harder to pump blood throughout the body. The extra strain can damage the heart muscle and blood vessels, making it more likely for the older adult to have a heart attack or stroke. And, again, high blood pressure has been associated with insulin resistance.
If your older family member has high blood pressure, a senior care provider can help them manage it better by reminding them when it is time to take medications, ensuring they don’t miss a dose.
Not Enough Exercise
People who do not exercise tend to be overweight. Exercise is also important to keep the heart strong and healthy. To reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease, seniors should try to get a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate to intense physical activity per week. That’s just 30 minutes on 5 days of the week. They should also do strengthening exercises at least twice per week.
Senior care providers can increase the amount of time older adults spend being physically active. A senior care provider can get them involved in doing things around the house, like gardening or vacuuming. They can also drive the senior to an exercise class or monitor them while they exercise at home, which can help them to feel safer.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Naples, FL, call the caring staff at Dial-a-Nurse today. Naples: (239) 434-8000. Ft. Myers: (239) 939-1228.
Sources
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/heart-disease-stroke
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/diabetes/why-diabetes-matters/cardiovascular-disease–diabetes