Five Common Heart Conditions in Older Adults

How In-Home Care Helps Seniors with Heart Conditions Stay Healthier and Have Improved Quality of Life

Heart disease, also known as cardiovascular disease (CVD), is a group of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. It’s a significant health concern, being the leading cause of death in the United States and responsible for about one in every five deaths.

And unfortunately, this serious health challenge isn’t going away anytime soon.

According to research published in the American Heart Association’s journal Circulation, the burden of cardiovascular disease in the United States – along with several risk factors such as high blood pressure and obesity – is expected to increase significantly over the next 30 years. In fact, treatment costs are projected to triple to $1.8 trillion by 2050. A staggering 60% of U.S. adults could be living with cardiovascular disease by mid-century.

As the population of adults aged 65 and older continues to grow, cardiovascular disease will become a leading cause of disability, limiting activity and diminishing the quality of life for older adults.

In this blog post, we will discuss the key risk factors of heart conditions in seniors, how age can increase one’s risk, five common types that impact older adults, and how in-home care can help.

Key Risk Factors for Heart Disease

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the key risk factors for heart disease are high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and smoking.

Other medical conditions and lifestyle choices that may put people at a higher risk for heart disease include:

• Diabetes – A chronic condition where the body doesn’t produce or use insulin effectively.
• Obesity – Defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher.
• Unhealthy diet – Food high in saturated fats and refined carbohydrates can lead to plaque buildup in the heart’s arteries. A heart-healthy diet should be balanced and rich in nutrients.
• Physical inactivity – The CDC recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week for adults.
• Excessive alcohol use – According to the U.S. Dietary Guidelines, men who choose to drink alcohol should not have more than two drinks per day, and women should not have more than  one drink per day.
• Not getting enough sleep – The heart doesn’t work as hard while the body is resting. Waking up suddenly can increase blood pressure and heart rate. Adults should regularly get 7-9 hours of sleep at night.
• Mental health – Stress, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder may indirectly increase the risk of heart disease if it makes you more likely to smoke, drink, or overeat foods that are high in fat and sugar.

How Age Increases the Risk of Heart Conditions in Seniors

According to the National Institute on Aging, growing older can cause changes in the heart and blood vessels and increase the risk of heart conditions in seniors.

These changes can include:

• Stiffening arteries – Blood vessels become less flexible over time, making it harder for blood to circulate. This can cause blood pressure to rise and put extra strain on the heart.
• Plaque buildup – Deposits of cholesterol – known as plaques – can collect inside the arteries, restricting or blocking blood flow to the heart.
• Chronic inflammation – Prolonged inflammation, a common characteristic of aging, can lead to various heart conditions. It can contribute to further plaque growth, loosen them in the arteries, and cause blood clots.

Five Common Types of Heart Disease That Impact Seniors

Heart disease comes in many forms, and each affects the body differently. Some types develop due to long-term risk factors like high blood pressure and cholesterol, while others result from disruptions in heart functions. Below are five of the most common types of heart conditions in seniors.

1. CORONARY HEART DISEASE OR CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE (CAD) – The most common type of heart disease, CAD, develops when plaque builds up in the arteries, restricting oxygen-rich blood flow to the heart muscle. Without treatment, it can lead to serious complications, including heart attacks and heart failure.

2. HEART ATTACK – A heart attack occurs when the blood flow to the heart is severely reduced or blocked due to a buildup of fat, cholesterol, or other substances in the arteries. The symptoms of a heart attack can vary from person to person; however, the most common signs are:

• Chest pain or discomfort
• Cold sweat
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea
• Dizziness or lightheadedness 

If you suspect that someone is experiencing a heart attack, call 911 immediately.

3. HEART FAILURE – Heart failure is when the heart doesn’t pump as efficiently as it should, which means oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood isn’t delivered to the cells throughout the body. Those with heart failure often feel fatigue or shortness of breath and sometimes excessive coughing. There’s usually no cure, but the condition can be mitigated with medication and a healthy lifestyle.

4. ARRHYTHMIA – A condition where there’s an abnormality in the timing or pattern of the heartbeat. This includes when the heart is beating too fast, too slow, or when there’s an irregular rhythm (i.e., when it feels like the heart is skipping). According to the CDC, Atrial Fibrillation, or AFib, is the most common type of arrhythmia. AFib occurs when the upper and lower chambers of the heart are not coordinated. Treatment for AFib may include medication and even surgery.

5. CARDIAC ARREST – A life-threatening emergency where the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating due to an electrical disturbance. Unlike a heart attack, cardiac arrest is caused by an issue with the heart’s rhythm, not circulation. Signs of cardiac arrest include:

• Sudden collapse
• No breathing or gasping for air
• Unresponsiveness
• No pulse

If you suspect that someone is experiencing cardiac arrest, call 911 immediately.

Heart disease can impact women differently than men, which can make it more challenging to diagnose and treat. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, women can develop symptoms that are subtler and harder to detect, especially if the physician is only looking for the traditional symptoms. Early detection and proactive management for both men and women can significantly improve health outcomes.

How In-Home Care Supports Older Adults with Heart Disease

While lifestyle choices like diet and exercise can help manage cardiovascular disease, some people may need additional support. Home Helpers® Home Care’s in-home care services provide valuable assistance to those who need help with preventative care, recovery, and ongoing support.

Whatever your care plan requires, Home Helpers® Home Care is here to be a trusted partner in your heart health journey, with a team of compassionate Caregivers supporting you every step of the way.

Whether it’s ensuring that medications are taken on time, helping with grocery shopping for a heart-healthy diet, or just being a friendly face at home after being discharged from the hospital, our services provide peace of mind and allow you to remain independent wherever you call home.  

Want to learn more? Contact us today to schedule your FREE in-home care assessment or find an agency near you.

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