At Autumn View Gardens in Ellisville, we want every member of our assisted living community to enjoy good health. We support our residents in maintaining wellness by providing a range of fitness classes, regular health assessments and a vibrant social calendar. Understanding how to maintain good physical health is an excellent way to get the most out of life in our senior community.
As we age, the chances of experiencing a heart attack increase. Fortunately, you can significantly lower the chances of having a heart attack by taking steps to reduce the risk factors within your control. Knowing how to recognize and respond to the signs of a heart attack can help you feel prepared and increase the likelihood of a good recovery.
Heart attacks occur when the blood vessels supplying the heart become blocked, depriving the heart tissue of oxygen. When substances such as cholesterol and fat build up inside the arteries, it increases the chance of a blood clot forming and obstructing the blood flow.
When the heart doesn't receive enough oxygen, it causes damage or death to the muscle. This is known as a heart attack.
Heart attack symptoms vary from person to person, and a few people may experience a heart attack with no warning signs. However, most people will notice discomfort or pressure in their chest in the time leading up to it, which may worsen after physical activity. Other signs to look out for include:
• Breathlessness
• Sweating
• Exhaustion
• Stomach pain
• Indigestion
• Pressure or pain in your arms, jaw, back or neck
• Dizziness or fainting
Paying attention to how your body feels and acting swiftly as soon as you notice any concerning symptoms can help you avoid a heart attack by seeking preventative treatment. If you're concerned that you may be at risk of a heart attack, you can seek advice from the health care team at Autumn View Gardens.
If you believe you may be having a heart attack, it's important to receive emergency health care as soon as possible by calling 911 for an emergency ambulance. If you're unable to access emergency services, the team at Autumn View Gardens in Ellisville can arrange transport to the hospital for its assisted living residents. It's best not to drive yourself to the emergency room in case you become more unwell en route.
Your doctor or the 911 operator may recommend taking aspirin to thin your blood and prevent blood clots while you wait for emergency assistance. However, it's best to avoid taking aspirin unless you've been advised by a medical professional because it could interact with other medicines.
Not all of the risk factors for heart attacks are within our control. While there's nothing you can do about your age or genetic disposition, the good news is that there are plenty of simple lifestyle changes that assisted living community residents can make to lower their risk.
A healthy, nutritious diet is one of the best ways to reduce your individual risk factors by reducing cholesterol and blood pressure and maintaining a healthy weight. A diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables and healthy fats could help reduce the chances of a heart attack, as can reducing your intake of foods high in sugar and unsaturated fat. Residents of our assisted living community can enjoy balanced and delicious meals in our on-site restaurant or even take part in one of our popular bistro classes to learn how to prepare their own nutritious meals.
Increasing your daily physical activity is another effective way to potentially reduce your heart attack risk. While experts recommend at least 150 minutes of exercise per week to reduce heart attack risk factors like high blood pressure, this may not be achievable for every assisted living resident. Fortunately, even a modest increase in your physical activity could offer some benefits. Consider joining one of our enjoyable fitness classes or taking a walk in our landscaped grounds to increase your activity levels.
If you regularly find yourself feeling stressed, you may want to take steps to reduce your stress levels. Some research has found a link between high stress and heart attack risk. Regular exercise, high-quality sleep and maintaining social connections with friends, family and other assisted living residents are great ways to promote relaxation.
Knowing how to recognize the signs of a heart attack is important for improving your chances of a positive outcome if it ever happens to you. You may also wish to consider taking advantage of the varied and high-quality facilities at Autumn View Gardens in Ellisville to help you live a heart-friendly lifestyle. If you're worried about your heart attack risk, our friendly health care team is always on hand to talk through your concerns and help you access treatment and wellness opportunities.
