Our bodies change as we get older, and these changes raise our chance of developing certain illnesses. Arrhythmia is one such illness that substantially impacts seniors. Heart rhythm abnormalities, or arrhythmias, come in a variety of shapes and intensities. Some cases are benign, but if treatment is not received, others may become fatal. Lifestyle modifications can be made with senior home care services helping seniors to incorporate them.
We’ll look at the effects of arrhythmia on seniors in this blog post, as well as
What Is Arrhythmia’s Effect on Seniors?
An arrhythmia can cause the heart to beat abnormally—that is, too quickly, too slowly, or irregularly. Arrhythmia can be quite dangerous for elderly people, whose cardiovascular systems may already be weakened from aging-related changes. Seniors who experience arrhythmias frequently experience ventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation (AFib), and atrial flutter.
Other effects are listed below:
Higher Risk of Problems: Heart failure, cardiac arrest, stroke, and other problems are more common in seniors with arrhythmia. This is because erratic cardiac rhythms may cause blood clots to develop in the heart, which may subsequently spread to the brain and result in a stroke.
Decreased Quality of Life: The symptoms of an arrhythmia, which include weariness, dizziness, palpitations, and shortness of breath, can all have a serious negative effect on a senior’s quality of life. These symptoms might limit their ability to carry out regular tasks and engage in physical activity. While senior home care can assist seniors with these tasks, they’re also instrumental in watching for symptoms and ensuring seniors are at their best.
Increased Healthcare Costs: Arrhythmia management involves ongoing medication, medical monitoring, and occasionally invasive treatments like pacemaker or defibrillator implantation or cardiac ablation. Arrhythmia treatment can be very expensive for seniors, particularly those with fixed incomes.
Adjusting Lifestyle to Prevent Arrhythmias
While age and genetics are unavoidable risk factors for arrhythmia, seniors can modify their lifestyles in several ways to lower their chance of having or worsening the condition.
Keep a Balanced Diet: Eating a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats will strengthen the heart and lower the chance of developing an arrhythmia. Seniors should consume processed foods, cholesterol, saturated fats, and sodium in moderation due to their potential to cause hypertension and heart disease. Senior home care can assist seniors in making these changes to their diet with healthy meal planning, as well as assistance with prep and cooking when needed.
Remain active: Regular exercise improves cardiovascular health and heart rhythm regulation. Walking, swimming, or cycling are examples of moderate-intensity aerobic activities that seniors should strive for at least 150 minutes a week. It’s crucial to speak with a healthcare professional before beginning any exercise regimen, particularly for people who already have cardiac issues.
Manage Stress: Prolonged stress can aggravate pre-existing arrhythmias as well as cause new ones. Seniors who want to promote relaxation and lessen the strain on their hearts should engage in stress-reduction activities like yoga, tai chi, deep breathing exercises, or meditation. Again, this is a great area for senior home care to jump in and offer support. They can assist seniors with transportation to community classes or encourage them to use coping techniques at home.
Arrhythmia poses a serious health danger to seniors, but proactive lifestyle modifications can lower the risk and improve the condition’s management. Senior home care plays a major role in assisting seniors and ensuring they live life to the fullest.
Sources: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-arrhythmia/symptoms-causes/syc-20350668
https://www.healthinaging.org/a-z-topic/arrhythmias
https://healthnews.com/health-conditions/cardiovascular-diseases/cardiac-arrhythmias-in-older-adults
If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Home Care Services in Alpharetta GA please contact the caring staff at Senior Solutions Home Care. (404) 266-8773
Senior Solutions Home Care is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving Atlanta, Palmetto, Alpharetta, Chattahoochee Hills, Milton, College Park, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Hapeville, Johns Creek, and all of Fulton County.
Over the years, we have expanded, providing service in all 95 counties throughout Tennessee, and we now have a growing presence in Georgia.
Senior Solutions is recognized as a top 5% independent agency and a three-time Inc. 5000 honoree in 2018, 2019, and 2020. These types of awards matter to us because they show growth in our goal of eventually touching a million lives. We’re excited to continue that growth and to touch even more families with our commitment to quality care!
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